The Teko Katu Network is positioning itself as a key player in promoting organic and agroecological production in Paraguay. Through its innovative Participatory Guarantee System (SPG), this network aims not only to boost sustainable production but also to foster transformation and responsible consumption, adopting a comprehensive approach that benefits all stakeholders involved in the process.
Composed of five organizations working synergistically – AKEKOPOL, APAPY, APDI, AOSSI, and MU – the Teko Katu Network’s main mission is to support and guide producers toward continuous improvement in both production and marketing of organic products. Its strategy is based on collective participation and the provision of technical and commercial assistance services to strengthen producers and create a positive impact on their communities.
The Participatory Guarantee System (SPG)
The Teko Katu SPG is the key element of this process, operating under an organized and democratic structure that ensures transparency and effectiveness in product certification. Governed by general assemblies and internal statutes, the SPG allows producers, whether individual or associated, to access a participatory certification process. The evaluation committee, composed of representatives from the academic field, consumers, producers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the Teko Katu board, plays a crucial role in assessing and qualifying each producer’s documentation.
The certification process begins with the Internal Control System (SIC), which acts as the first filter to evaluate the producers’ files. This system conducts farm visits and prepares reports that serve as the basis for certification approval. The inspectors, selected within the SIC, are responsible for visiting the farms, ensuring a rigorous and efficient control process.
Strengthening Local Capacities
The organizations that are part of Teko Katu play a fundamental role in monitoring activities in the territories. They act as grassroots hubs, strengthening the functioning of the SIC and ensuring that the certification process is carried out effectively and transparently. In 2024, the Teko Katu board met ten times to train and prepare the necessary documents for the proper functioning of the SPG, achieving approval and recognition by the National Plant and Seed Quality and Health Service (SENAVE).
A Breath of Hope for Agroecology in Paraguay
Thanks to these efforts, the Teko Katu Network has achieved an important milestone in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Currently, the Teko Katu SPG has its own label and certificate, and has already included 114 agricultural producers in the process of organic certification. This advancement marks a key step toward consolidating agroecology in Paraguay and promoting more sustainable, responsible, and environmentally respectful agriculture.
The Antonio Guasch Paraguayan Studies Center (CEPAG), which has supported the development of Teko Katu from its beginnings, remains a key ally in this process. Through its participation in the Comparte Network, CEPAG has strengthened its capacity to support initiatives like Teko Katu, consolidating joint efforts in favor of agroecology and organic production in the country.