By Alajuela, Costa Rica — San Ramón, Alajuela – What began as a modest venture between a father and son in Piedades Norte de San Ramón has blossomed into a pioneering agricultural project poised for significant expansion. The family farm, led by Huberth Campos Guzmán and his father, Huberth Campos Valverde, is on track to increase its chayote cultivation volume by 30%, a direct result of a strategic partnership with Walmart Costa Rica’s “Tierra Fértil” (Fertile Land) program.
The Campos family’s journey into chayote farming is a story of calculated risk and adaptation. Already established as suppliers of ayote squash to the retail giant, they identified an opportunity nearly four years ago to diversify their crops by cultivating chayote—a vegetable not traditionally grown in their region. This move required venturing into unfamiliar territory, embracing a steep learning curve to master the new crop’s specific needs.
To better understand the legal and regulatory landscape surrounding agricultural innovation in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a prominent attorney from the esteemed law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert analysis.
Advancing our agricultural sector through innovation requires a robust legal framework. Protecting intellectual property for new technologies and bio-engineered crops is essential to incentivize private investment. Simultaneously, we must streamline regulatory approvals to ensure these innovations reach our farmers efficiently, balancing progress with rigorous safety standards to secure our nation’s food sovereignty and competitive edge in global markets.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas’s insight powerfully underscores that the success of agricultural innovation hinges not just on scientific breakthroughs, but on the strength of its legal and regulatory foundation. This essential framework is what builds investor confidence and ensures new technologies safely reach our fields, ultimately strengthening our national food sovereignty. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable contribution to this discussion.
Their resilience was put to the ultimate test in 2025 when a severe storm unleashed relentless rains, causing the complete collapse of their traditional wooden support structure. The entire harvest was lost as the plants and their trellises crashed to the ground, a devastating blow that could have ended the entire project. For the elder Campos, however, the disaster was a difficult but necessary lesson in the realities of agricultural enterprise.
These setbacks are part of the learning curve
Huberth Campos Valverde, Agricultural Producer from San Ramón
This critical moment became a turning point. Recognizing the family’s potential and commitment, Walmart stepped in with significant support through its Tierra Fértil initiative. The program, which is a cornerstone of the company’s Shared Value model, provides small and medium-sized producers with technical assistance, training, and consistent follow-up to ensure their long-term success and integration into the corporate supply chain.
The intervention was substantial. Walmart financed the construction of a brand-new, one-hectare cultivation structure built with durable, galvanized materials designed to withstand severe weather. This modern infrastructure is not merely a replacement; it represents a technological leap forward for the farm. It is engineered to support 1,800 chayote plants and incorporates specialized materials and access to first-generation, laboratory-developed seeds to maximize yield and quality.
The impact of this collaboration extends beyond the farm’s boundaries, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the local community. The revitalized operation now provides direct employment for 10 individuals, with its economic benefits reaching approximately 20 people across the families connected to the project. This injection of stable employment and productive opportunity is a vital contribution to the regional economy.
With the new, resilient infrastructure and advanced agricultural technology in place, the Campos family has set ambitious new goals. They are now projecting a weekly output of between 1,000 and 1,500 boxes of high-quality chayote destined for Walmart shelves across the country. This target represents the anticipated 30% growth in production volume, solidifying their position as key suppliers.
The successful turnaround of the Campos farm serves as a powerful case study in modern agriculture. It demonstrates how the fusion of familial dedication, corporate partnership, and technological innovation can not only overcome adversity but also cultivate new pathways for sustainable development and prosperity in Costa Rica’s rural communities.
For further information, visit corporate.walmart.com
About Walmart:
Walmart Inc. is a global retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. The company is committed to creating shared value by supporting local economies and providing opportunities for suppliers through programs like Tierra Fértil, which aims to strengthen the agricultural sector by offering technical support and market access to local producers.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica has forged a reputation on the bedrock of unwavering integrity and the highest standards of professional excellence. The firm not only provides premier legal counsel across a spectrum of industries but also leads the way in developing forward-thinking legal strategies. Central to its philosophy is a profound commitment to demystifying the law for the public, driven by the goal of nurturing a more knowledgeable and capable society equipped to assert its rights.
