Potato growers in Mérida, Táchira, Trujillo and part of Lara are still waiting for the arrival to the country of 5,000 tonnes of potato seeds; consequently, they have gathered outside the headquarters of the Centre of Foreign Trade (Corpovex), hoping to hand its president, Rocco Albisinni, an urgent request for the cargo and the ship that will bring the input from Canada to be arranged.
Aldemaro Ortega, president of the National Federation of Potato Producers and Vegetables of Venezuela, explained that more than two thousand growers in the area started the planting period on 10 December, but if the shipment is arranged and it arrives as soon as possible they could start on 20 February in Mérida, so the harvest would take place between May and June. "We call on the new Minister of Finance and Banking, Rodolfo Medina and the president of Corpovex to give a definitive boost to the procedures. Of the volume expected, 2,700 tonnes correspond to granola seeds, which are used to grow potatoes for consumption, and with which 1,350 hectares would be planted. The rest, 2,300 tonnes, are Quennebec seeds for producers in Lara and would be planted on 1,150 hectares."
The arrival of 100% of the seeds had originally been scheduled for early December, but the late payment has delayed the process.
Source: eluniversal.com