Papayas are no longer exclusive to countries like Mexico and Costa Rica; Almeria is introducing the crop with the goal of expanding its horticultural product range and improving the sector's competitiveness in an increasingly difficult market.
To this end, Cajamar has made large investments in research and development and has been cultivating papayas in greenhouses in partnership with the University of Almeria since September 2012.
"Not only have we demonstrated that the crop is viable in technical terms, but production and quality results are also promising," explains Juan Carlos Gázquez, Transfer manager at Cajamar Foundation's experimental station.
According to Juan Carlos, papaya plants develop very quickly and start producing eight to nine months after being planted; much earlier than most other fruit crops, which usually take four to six years. They are also very productive.
Most papaya growers in the Iberian Peninsula introduced the fruit last year with small plantations (500 to 1,000 square metres), and they are only just harvesting their first papayas.
"Some growers dared starting off with larger plantations and the crop's future is promising," stated Juan Carlos Gázquez.
Source: Elalmeria.es