The Secretary of Rural Development reported it and Agroempresarial, J. Pilar Moreno Montoya, said that Aguascalientes was having its first asparagus harvest ever, which is estimated will yield about 136 tons in 40 hectares, thanks to a project of the Group of innovative producers of the irrigation district, composed of 23 farmers. Moreno Montoya recognized the work made by the producers that make up this group, as they had ventured into productive reconversion with a profitable project and with a guaranteed commercialization through agriculture by contract with a company of the State of Mexico, which will export the product to the United States and Europe.
The president of the Group of innovative producers of the irrigation district, Carlos de la Cruz Padilla, said they had established an area of 40 hectares mainly in Pabellón de Arteaga and Rincon de Romos, and a lower surface in Tepezala, within the irrigation district. He also said that a producer from Asientos had joined this project.
The producer said they had started the harvest, which was going to generate about 150 jobs, as this crop is labor-intensive. He also said that this crop was very noble and that it had liked the land of Aguascalientes so much that production would be higher than the producers initial expectations. Hopefully, he added, production would exceed the 136 tons.
The project was generated after the staff of the Sulken company presented the project in the irrigation district and managed to close deals, for which they received the accompaniment and advice of technicians. "Fortunately, we have a contract and a guaranteed sale that will benefit us now more because it is in dollars." In this sense, he pointed out, a 30 pound box is priced at 21 dollars.
He also said that the company's total production would be exported to the United States and Europe, after noting that he had experience in these activities and production in other States of the country.
Asparagus crops are perennial. Planting began in August of last year and the harvest is just beginning and will conclude in a month approximately. This is the beginning so that this activity can grow. "The company would like to move forward with plantations in Aguascalientes. Above all, we, as producers, are really interested to grow it among peers until we achieve 300 hectares and can have our own packaging."
The productive reconversion was made possible because they have the technology. "We have it in our irrigation district and we have to take advantage of it. We can continue to grow, we want more revenue for our families and we also want our young people to stay and work in our fields," concluded the President of this group.
Source: Sedrae