Saturday, 28 May 2022 03:56

ACEPI and MAG have contributed US$25,000 to support Morazán producers

Written by Evelyn Alas

More than 40 farmers and their families are improving their living conditions in the Asociación Comunal Empresarial de Productores y Productoras Integrales de Peña Hueca (ACEPI), in the municipality of San Fernando, Morazán, thanks to the support of the Rural Adelante program of the Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG).

With financing of more than US$25,000 from the government initiative, they have built a 300 m2 greenhouse, a 400 m2 macro-tunnel, and a 30 m2 storage facility, harvesting 300 to 400 jabas of tomatoes per production cycle, which generates higher income and boosts the area's economy.

According to the program specialist, Orlando Rodríguez, tomato production is due to the profitability of this food, and although the market is fluctuating, a jaba can be worth between US$10 and US$20, but the higher the production, the higher the profit.

The staggered production has allowed them to create a loyal clientele, and the super-optimum variety they grow has good resistance to pests and better quality, since it has a shelf life of 15 days.

For the beneficiary farmers, Rural Adelante has allowed them to grow in all senses, since it is not only about achieving a higher production, but also about having a diversified and eco-friendly agriculture.

There are many young people who see agriculture as an alternative for development in Morazán, and they also maintain that the teachings of the MAG specialists not only show them other ways to grow crops, but also to be aware of environmental care.

The fact is that the way of producing is innovating, due to the effects and challenges presented by climate change, where green agriculture is key.