A. M. 
Salvadoran producer Mario Castillo was recognized as Best Supplier in the Tierra Fértil Program in El Salvador 2025, an initiative driven by Walmart to strengthen the development of local agricultural producers and generate greater economic opportunities in the country.
The recognition highlights Castillo’s commitment to the program for over two years, the company’s growing performance indicators, and the quality and consistency of the suppliers participating in the program, which promotes sustainable business relationships between Walmart and salvadoran agricultural producers.
Through the Tierra Fértil Program, Walmart provides farmers with technical support, access to a stable market, and growth opportunities so they can develop their businesses and bring their products to more salvadoran families.
“This recognition is being awarded for the first time at the local level and reflects the effort and dedication of the producers who work every day to offer fresh, high-quality food. Programs like Tierra Fértil help strengthen the development of the agricultural sector and generate opportunities for communities”, said Emmer García, Commercial manager of Fruits and Vegetables at Walmart.
Mario Castillo is a farmer from a family of farmers, owner of Finca San Gabriel, who connected with Walmart through a friend with a nearby farm. The company created a code for him, and he began working with one acre of land, cultivating Persian limes and delivering 3,000 limes monthly to the supermarket chain in 2011.
Today, the supplier cultivates six acrees of Persian limes and delivers 40,000 limes monthly, generating 10 direct jobs.
“Walmart has always supported us with training, field schools, audits, and I am proud to say that I am one of the suppliers applying the bio-input technique, which saves costs and improves crops because it avoids applying chemicals”, said Mario Castillo.
The Walmart supplier added that the company means support, diversification, and growth to him.
The Tierra Fértilprogram is one of Walmart’s initiatives aimed at supporting small and medium-sized agricultural producers through training, technical assistance, and direct access to the company’s supermarkets, contributing to the growth of the agricultural sector and local economic development.
With this type of recognition, Walmart reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting local production and working alongside salvadoran farmers to strengthen supply chains and improve the quality of life for families.
During 2025, Walmart worked with more than 44 agricultural suppliers, benefiting more than 1,500 families.
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