Alvaro Ernesto Palacio Pelaez, the manager of the Fruit and Vegetable Association of Colombia, Asohofrucol, said the area cultivated with banana in Quindio had declined by approximately 40%.
"There was a time when this Department was a pioneer in the production of this fruit, but no longer. The reduction in crops is due to plant protection issues, such as the moko," he said.
Despite this, he said, the Quindio continues to be a region with a tradition of plantain production.
"The department of QuindÃo is a pioneer of growing plantains in Colombia. Currently this sector in Colombia is growing and the country maintains some 440,000 hectares planted with this crop," he said.
He also said that Asohofrucol had developed a national plan to promote fruit and vegetable crops in 22 departments of Colombia. In each department, Asohofrucol and the regional authorities prioritise the products they grow through the Secretaries of agriculture.
"Obviously, this region is talking about a new plantain agricultural concept to become more competitive. The Colombian Plantain Producer's Congress was just held there. More than ten departments participated in the event where they were presented with new technologies for this crop," he said.
He stressed that this fruit was highly suitable for the industry, and that it had a great acceptance in the processed industry of national and international markets.
Source: corinicadelquindio.com