Various sugarcane panela associations in the country are requesting the Agricultural Affairs Commission of the National Assembly to enact protective norms for this activity, which thousands of families depend on.
At the end of January this year, this commission approved in its first debate Bill number 484, which adds and modifies some articles of Law 69 of 2021 that regulates the panela or raspadura activity and dictates other provisions.
During a meeting of the Agricultural Affairs Commission, Boris Atencio, president of the Boquerón Agropanela Association, province of Chiriquí, said he had requested to be part of the discussions on the reforms to this law.
The sugarcane paneler groups in Chiriquí account for between 95% and 98% of the country's panela production.
Atencio added that thousands of families depend on the panela industry, which is also a source of work from planting, cane cutting, processing, and sales.
The modifications introduced by Law 69 of 2021 aim to modernize the panela industry, promoting the adoption of good production practices, energy efficiency, and the use of clean technologies.
To strengthen commercial competitiveness, it is proposed to establish financial incentives, training programs, technical assistance, and facilitate access to national and international markets.
Additionally, it will include the digital registration of producers and trapiches. The latter must comply with hygiene, safety, energy efficiency, and waste control standards as dictated by the Ministry of Health.
