A total of four Agricultural Productive Reconversion Projects (PRPA) have been implemented in the Piura region for the benefit of 105 producers who changed their rice crops for organic bananas to increase their economic income with the insertion in the export chain.
Agricultural Productive Reconversion is the voluntary change of crops to innovate and add value to production through the use of technological systems throughout the production chain.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MINAGRI), through the Compensation Program for Competitiveness - AGROIDEAS, approved in 2016 four projects that are being implemented in the provinces of Morropon (1), Paita (1), and Sullana (2), with a total investment of S / 7.7 million.
The Compensation Program for Competitiveness, as the Executing Unit of MINAGRI, is responsible for the direction and execution of the Agricultural Productive Reconversion Programs or Projects in their respective territorial circumscriptions.
Success stories in the making
The Association of Agricultural Producers El Holguín- Buenos Aires was formed by 21 producers in 2012 with the purpose of dedicating themselves to the production and commercialization of rice and in 2017 they chose to look for another alternative. They had access to a Project for Agricultural Productive Reconversion (PRPA) financial aid from AGROIDEAS which amounted to S / 2'567,489.36.
Yim Marchena Guzman, the secretary of the Association of Agricultural Producers El Holguin- Buenos Aires, highlighted the potential that organic banana production had in the region where he was born.
"The organic banana of Piura is one of the best in the world because the fertilizers used here are organic, as recommended by the organic certification consultants. In addition, this is a fruit that has a lot of potassium and silicon, which are important for children."
The co-financing included banana plants, land preparation of 75.76 hectares, organic inputs for fertilization and fertilization, phytosanitary control, and materials and equipment for the harvest and post harvest processes. They also received technical assistance and co-financing from the Organica and Global GAP certifications.
"In our first campaign we are producing 800 to 1,000 boxes of 18 kilos of organic bananas and we project that, in the second generation, we will produce 3,000 to 3,500 boxes per hectare."
The members of El Holguin are proud of the first fruits of their work. It should be noted that, in 2017, organic bananas were the eighth biggest agricultural export product, according to SUNAT. Exports amounted to US $148,550,134.17 (FOB value), and the main markets were the Netherlands, USA, and Germany.