Magap is working with banana producers to implement international standards in order to obtain ecological and environmental certifications such as the GlobalGAP so they can improve the economic sustainability and increase the level of small domestic farmers' competitiveness.
The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing the project via the Banana Development Strategy to guarantee that the small banana producers receive advice and support.
Marco Oviedo, national director of the Banana Development Strategy, said that technicians performed free personalized technical assistance in the farms of small producers, with whom they work to apply the required regulations of the markets they were going to export to.
He added that they were working with associated and independent producers. Among the first guilds involved in this process are: Aprobaf , Mussa Export, Apao and Tierra Nueva.
Among other aspects, the certifications evaluate good management and fruit quality, hygiene and product safety, environmental protection, good agricultural practices, and soil care.
The Magap invited the producers with up to thirty acres who wanted to join this initiative to learn about it at the offices of the Productivity Development Strategy for Small Banana Producers, located in Machala, at the Ex Predesur building and in the different provincial offices across the country.
Source: El Ciudadano