The Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile AG (ASOEX), represented by its president, Ronald Bown, signed a Clean Production Agreement (CPA) that will help nearly 30 blueberry producers in the Biobio Region incorporate clean technologies and sustainable practices in the production of blueberries.
During the virtual signing of the CPA for fresh blueberries from Biobio, a Horticultural CPA was also ratified. Both initiatives will be financed with more than $318 million in resources from the Regional Government of Biobio, through the FNDR program "Clean Production Strategies for the economic reactivation of the Biobio Region" presented by the Sustainability and Climate Change Agency.
Strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of blueberries
The Fresh Blueberries CPA is aimed at producers in the Province of Biobio, with the aim of strengthening the sustainability of blueberry production companies, incorporating strategic actions that contribute to the sustainability of this sector and producers.
"In the framework of the '2030: Together Our Fruit Will be more Valuable' study, the fresh fruit export industry has been developing various sustainability actions in its three axes: environmental, economic, and social. The Clean Production Agreement that we signed today is an important step in this path. We highlight the work of our Blueberry Committee that, together with the Sustainability Agency, the Regional Government of Biobío, and the blueberry producers of the region, made this Agreement possible. This CPA will strengthen the sustainability of the blueberry-producing companies of Biobio incorporating strategic actions that will contribute to increasing competitiveness, access to export markets, and adaptation to climate change through the delivery of greater knowledge and the implementation of sustainable technologies," stated Ronald Bown, the president of ASOEX.
During the 2021-2022 season, Chile exported more than 107,000 tons of fresh blueberries to the world, he added. Of this amount, more than 10,000 tons left the Biobio region.
The Technical Manager of the Committee, Julia Pinto, spoke about this CPA's specific objectives and some of its goals:
Increasing producers' agricultural knowledge and developing capacities in the areas covered by the Agreement.
Incorporating good management practices, prevention, efficient production techniques, and sustainable practices.
Efficiently managing water, energy, and soil resources.
Identifying and managing waste generated in the production process.
Incorporating new technologies that allow the development of sustainable production.
For more information:
ASOEX
www.asoex.cl/