State pineapple producers and growers from Ciego de Avila will increase the area devoted to pineapple with the goal of exporting this fruit, which has a great demand in Europe.
The project's goal, which is headed by the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Association of Small Farmers, is to guarantee the production of more than two thousand tons of pineapple for the local industry each year, and being able to ship a product of the highest quality to Spain, Italy, and France.
During the coming year, the goal is to increase the production area by more than one hundred hectares of the MD-2 variety and by more than another one hundred hectares of the so-called Spanish Red variety, which is very resistant to pests and diseases. The farmers will promote around 140 hectares.
Both crops suffered the effects of Hurricane Irma due to an excess in moisture. The farmers, however, will continue efforts to advance the work needed by the crops, without neglecting the production of preserves.
According to engineer Reinaldo de Avila Guerra, the director of the Pineapple Base Business Unit, there is a big demand for everything they process in the combined factory and in the mini-industries, not only because of the fruit's exquisite flavor, but also because it responds to the standards established in the food safety system.
Source: acn.cu