According to Celestino Rivera, a tomato producer in the province of Los Santos, if the high temperatures in the province continue, the production of industrial tomatoes for the period 2015-2016 will be jeopardized.
Rivera states that there are two factors affecting tomato: the lack of water and the temperatures above 34 degrees Celsius, which leads to an increase in pests at the nurseries.
"The T8 seeds we have won’t be able to resist if it doesn’t rain in September, October, and November. That’s why we think the tomato crop is in jeopardy," said Rivera.
Rivera stated that, in the last harvest, they had failed to deliver the 12,000 tons quota agreed upon with the tomato processing company, and had only given them 50%; i.e. 6,000 tons.
They were unable to comply because the seed they used was seriously affected by the virus known as the potato yellow mosaic.
As a result, Rivera said, tomato growers from Los Santos signed a document so that the affected company could import 4,000 tons of tomato concentrate to cover what they were unable to provide because of weather problems.
According to Rivera, the Government wants to be paid for this quota, but the producers believe they shouldn’t be charged because they did not meet the quota.
If it rains, expectations are that nearly 130 producers will sow 280 hectares of tomatoes to deliver the 12,000 tons, he said.
He also stated that 60% of the seeds that were going to be planted come from greenhouses, to avoid growing seeds with pest problems.
Source: panamaamerica.com.pa