After the passage of tropical storms Eta and Iota in November last year, which severely affected banana production in the country, the Honduran banana sector has started to work again to reactivate this productive activity. The Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG), Mauricio Guevara, confirmed that independent banana producers began to plant some 4,000 thousand plants and that the transnational companies dedicated to this activity will have fully replanted the lost area, estimated at 2,500 hectares, by December.
“The physiological cycle of the bananas is not a 4-month cycle. The banana cycle, from planting to production, lasts 9 to 11 months. Thus, I believe we’ll have a production for export next year,” the official stated.
“We have been very concerned because the Ecuadorian market, which is strong in bananas, has taken away many international spaces. However, I’m certain our national companies and producers, which are true national heroes, will work together with the Government to reopen these international markets so that bananas reach their potential again,” stated Mauricio Guevara.
Guevara also said they were working on a technology transfer with Israel that will help the country’s banana sector address the challenges it faces, including the threat of Fusarium Race 4 or the fight against Sigatoka. Israeli technology will also be valuable in boosting added value for producers so that Honduras can once again position itself as one of the leading exporters of bananas worldwide, Minister Guevara stated.
Source: latribuna.hn