In recent years, Honduras’ guava production has increased by 8 thousand pounds per week, going from 20 thousand to 28 thousand pounds, according to producers operating in the Comayagua Valley.
The president of the Guava Producers Association, Hector Hugo Varela, said that Comayagua alone contributed an average of 25 thousand pounds per week, which are then sold in the national market.
This crop generates 300 permanent jobs throughout the year and, according to Hector Varela, one of the most important social aspects of this production is that it prevents families from emigrating in search of employment opportunities.
The commercialization of guava as an association generates up to 15 million lempiras per year, which is an important income for the Comayagua economy.
More than 45 partners produce and pack the guava in baskets and trays that are then displayed in the main supermarkets under the Guayabeña brand.
The producers are assisted by the National Service of Agricultural Food Health and Safety (SENASA) and the Directorate of Agricultural Science and Technology (Dicta), among other institutions.
They also benefit from an alliance with the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) aimed at promoting the production and marketing of concentrate in various presentations.
In 1999, the Taiwan Technical Mission (MTT) introduced the Taiwanese guava variety to the country as part of an agricultural technical cooperation agreement signed with Honduras.
The Taiwanese technicians introduced the crop through pilot projects in the central area of the country; an opportunity that national producers took full advantage of, which allowed them to create the association that now generates high profit margins and sources of rural employment.
Source: latribuna.hn