Tabasco has a new crop that is already creating profits for producers of the region of La Sierra. This crop is the rambutan, a red, sweet, medicinal fruit that, up until now, isn't affected by any pest. According to Sagarpa, this crop will be a success in the Tabasco countryside.
The rambutan has become a new alternative for Tabasco, even though there are only about 32 hectares dedicated to the activity so far, stated the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA).
According to Sagarpa, the rambutan is a non traditional, medicinal, sweet fruit that can be consumed in soft drinks, wines, and jams, among other derivatives.
The manager of Agricultural Development of the Sagarpa, Miguel Hernandez Hernandez, said that in recent years the plantations have slowly started to appear in the area and that this crop could become one of Tabasco's most important fruits.
Rambutan can be grown in the mountain areas and without the use of chemicals, as no pest affects this crop.
The federal agency has consistently supported the 32 hectares of rambutan with resources of 500,000 pesos. As a result, these plantations are well known in the 17 municipalities and entrepreneurs are starting to approach producers to make derivatives of the fruit so to make it more profitable.
At the moment the rambutan is grown in the municipalities of Jalapa and Teapa, which produce more than one thousand tons of these fruit each harvest, generating a significant profit for the people dedicated to this crop.
Plans to market it in the north
So far, these crop is distributed for consumption throughout Tabasco and in other states, such as Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Campeche. According to experts, in 2017 the marketing could expand to the north of the country, which would force producers to increase their crops so that they can supply their local and national market.
Miguel Hernandez Hernandez said that there were about 22 hectares planted with rambutan in the municipality of Jalapa and some eight hectares in Teapa. These plantations produce 10 tons of fruit per hectare per season and are a profitable alternative for producers.
Another of the advantages of this new crop is that a ton of rambutan can be sold at 10 to 13 thousand pesos in the commercial market, so it can be a source of employment that can generate 15 to 20 wages throughout the year. The number of employees increases in August, September and November, when the harvest takes place.
"Until now there is only one person dedicated to this work, so we have supported him with his irrigation system, which has allowed him to increase his harvest."
Source: diariopresente.mx