Extremadura aims to consolidate its position as the Spanish autonomous region with the largest cherry production. To this end, it is studying the introduction of this fruit in the agricultural area of Las Vegas del Guadiana, in Badajoz.
Badajoz has recently hosted a conference on 'Innovation in the fruit sector', where one of the issues discussed was the possible expansion of this crop to areas beyond the traditional Jerte Valley.
Margarita López, agronomist engineer at the Center for Scientific and Technological Research of Extremadura (Cicytex), explained that the goal of the initiative is not to compete with Jerte cherries, but to complement them with early productions.
The studies started in 2010, with data accumulated between 2013 and 2018, and show that it is possible to grow certain varieties in Las Vegas del Guadiana with a quality comparable to that achieved in Aragon.
"Extremadura is a global leader in this fruit's cultivation thanks to the production of the Jerte Valley. This initiative is meant to complement that autonomic potential, because, for example, it would make it possible to supply cherries even when, due to weather issues, it is not possible to do so from the Valley," he said.
Conferences like the one above have made it possible to present the initiative to producers, companies and cooperatives, said López, who recalled that cherry trees start yielding fruit in the third or fourth year.
This initiative is part of a sectoral project funded by European Feder funds and the Government of Extremadura on new species with productive potential in Las Vegas del Guadiana. Studies are also being carried out with almonds, Japanese plum trees, fig trees and pecan nuts.
Source: EFE
