States such as Morelos, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas and Puebla have lands with potential for avocado growing, making it possible to decentralise and increase Mexico's production to meet international demand, as highlighted by research from the National Institute for Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research (INIFAP).
Specialists from the Institute are conducting research aimed at formulating a strategy for the sustainable production of avocados in new areas.
Focused on sustainable development policies, promoted by this administration to boost competitiveness in agriculture, the goal is to arrange an orderly increase in acreage, as well as a more intensive use of environmentally-friendly technology, enabling the conservation and recovery of the forests. The objective is also to make good use of the opportunities brought by growing demand of this product, both nationally and internationally.
Researchers stated that avocado growing is quite significant in Mexico and very important for Michoacán, which concentrates 74% of the total acreage, after a 75% increase in the number of hectares used in the past 30 years.
With 37% of the world production, Sistema Producto Aguacate significantly contributes to the economic growth of Mexico's agricultural sector, increasing the value of its production and exports in the last few years.
With the goal of promoting sustainable development of this product, researchers of the Institute under the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) have conducted research to predict the potential in other regions of the country, thereby preventing saturation of the current areas, which could lead to environmental problems.
The research highlighted that the forest plays a fundamental role in the hydric balance of watersheds and the supply of environmental services to society, such as water supply and soil conservation. Given this, it was stated that decisions should be made regarding land distribution of the crop, as well as to the promotion of a sustainable management of the resources.
According to the study: "Sustainability in Avocado Production", there is a need for a multifunctional forest valuation framework based on greater responsibility and social organisation and the implementation of programs and schemes focused on conservation, as opposed to conventional strategies giving more weight to the extractive, direct value of lands.
Source: Diarioportal.com