The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (Minagri) stated a restructuring process would start on about 200 hectares on the northern and southern coast of the country to replace rice crops for other crops that require less water and are more attractive to international markets.
The head of the Compensation Program for Competitiveness of the MINAGRI, Julio Salazar, said 200 hectares of rice would be replaced by avocado and organic banana crops.
"Regarding productive restructuring, we have been working in the north, in Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertad. There are a number of plans to work with other cultures," he said. "This is voluntary, we have been publicizing the conversion among the board of users and the associations of rice producers".
Salazar also said the Minagri wanted cotton producers to change their crops for fruits, such as tangerine, avocado and pomegranate, which have a higher value abroad.
He said they would be working in the north and south of the country, but that, by the end of the year, they expected to be working in other regions that want to change their crops.
Source: bolsamania.com