This year, Guadex has an ambitious project for the asparagus campaign, with plans to create a total of 1,000 jobs between field and storage. This was stated by Manuel Bajo, president of Guadex, who explained that "we will fund 80% of the cost of the crowns and offer technical advice. The goal is to professionalise the field." Bajo said the project is centred around small growers.
In February, the project's development will start with the planting of the crop, and the goal is to have producers in various provinces, such as Huelva, Seville, Cadiz, Cordoba and Jaen, to have the longest possible season. To outline the magnitude of the project, Juan Martínez, CEO of Guadex, said that one hectare translates into 8,000 kilos of asparagus, with a cost of 60 cents for the harvest and between 40 and 45 cents for the processing. He pointed out that "we are talking about 2.5 million in direct labour, to which we must add transport and packaging." Martínez also pointed out that the project will develop over 3 or 4 years, with the goal set on reaching 400 hectares. It will start with an area of 100 to 120 hectares and each year between 60 and 80 hectares will be added, and this with a crop that lasts for 8 years. The CEO stated that "we will handle Andalusia's whole production in one place."
Guadex presented the project to the president of IFAPA, Jerónimo Pérez, who called it "a project to build wealth for the future." Pérez described Ifapa's collaboration "as a tool at the sector's service, aimed at creating employment through development. Our commitment is to provide knowledge and training."
The delegate of Agriculture, Francisco Zurera, pointed out that Guadex's project will bring diversification to La Vega by means of knowledge and professionalism.
The latest data from Guadex point to the production of 40,000 tonnes of citrus on 1,200 hectares. It is mostly devoted to exporting, with 5,500 tonnes of stonefruit grown on 200 hectares, 400 tonnes of onions on 25 hectares and 15 hectares of asparagus. The president also announced that they will start a melon and watermelon line and that they plan to manage an Agriculture Research Centre.
Source: diariocordoba.com
