Banana production in the valley of Cihuatlan, Jalisco, has declined sharply as a result of the excessive rainfalls, flooding and the presence of black sigatoka.
The president of the municipal association of landowners of Cihuatlán, Narciso de Jesus Ramirez Rubio, who is also a producer of bananas in the valley confirmed that "there is no production. It's very low and only some producers whose plots are located on land, not affected by the floods and with the resources to fertilize, have some production. However, he stressed, the production is very low in general.
He also stated that the low production was the result of the floods caused by the Marabasco river last year, the abundant rainfall, and the presence of the black sigatoka, a pest they constantly have to control.
According to Ramirez Rubio, the banana plantations remain wet after the floods, and the humidity affects production. Thus, the repercussions of last year's floods are only being felt now.
He estimated there wouldn't be any production until June or July and emphasized: "We've never had a lack of production as significant as this one."
At present, the product's price is acceptable due to the shortage. Unfortunately, he said, there are not enough orchards producing premium quality bananas.
It's worth noting that a good part of the area's economy is based on agriculture and farming in the valley of Cihuatlán, as it is the source of employment for hundreds of families in the sector.
Source: El Occidental