According to the latest report from the Ministry of Agriculture, Peruvian non-traditional agricultural exports increased by 24.5% between January and April this year when compared to the value reported in the same period in 2013. One of the products that has contributed to the increase of these exports has been the ecological bananas.
Willy Paredes Berrio, coordinator of the PROBANANO project, implemented by OIKOS and funded by the European Union, said that "the increase in exports of organic bananas has a seasonal component because in times of heat, production increases."
He also said that another factor that has contributed to this growth has been the formation and work of the Technical Banana Committee, comprised by the National Banana Board, the Chira Association, SwissContact and OIKOS, which promotes the improvement of irrigation systems and organic fertilization.
Meanwhile, Diego Balarezo Camminati, manager of the Fruit Program from the Andes Regional Office, said that, "the banana has definitely contributed to this growth, as there are new plantings that have helped to increase the amount of containers. There has also been a better management and training to control the red spot by producers in recent months."
Finally, Juan Carlos Risco Navarrete, assistant manager of the Productive Management of Urban and Rural Municipality of Sullana, said that, "we are currently working together with the banana sector, with support from the State and private enterprise, which has helped the banana to contribute to this great increase in exports."
Source: Elregionalpiura.com.pe