  The businesses of coffee production in Pérez Zeledón rely on the hands of small company farmers. / A.M. Costa Rica wire services photo |
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 Published Thursday, July 23, 2020 $200,000-
plus in agricultural supplies
donated to coffee farmers By the A.M. Costa Rica staff A total of 101 coffee farmers in the rural territory of Pérez Zeledón Canton, in the southern zone of San José, received a donation of agricultural supplies such as fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides, among others, valued at $234,178, said the Institute of Rural Development on Wednesday. According to the institute, of the total farmers who received the donation, 58 have their crops in the districts of Pejibaye and Platanares. The donation for them was delivered through the Association of Coffee Growers of those communities. "The donated supplies cover the production of one hectare for a year," said Renato Alvarado-Rivera, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock. "Some of them also received coffee seedlings of the Obatá variety, which is tolerant of coffee rust disease." According to the institute, the plantations of coffee in Pérez Zeledón are one of the most important lucrative activities that have contributed to the development of the zone. However, according to data from the Institute of Coffee, the production yields have decreased. The Pérez Zeledón zone went from producing an average of 27.5 bushels per hectare in 2001 to 17.4 bushels per hectare in 2017. Also, for the 2019-2020 harvest, an average production of 18.4 bushels per hectare was projected, that is 9.1 bushels less than in 2001. The businesses of coffee production in Pérez Zeledón rely on the hands of small company farmers. According to the Institute's statistics, of 7,066 registered farmers, 6,652 have yielded less than 100 bushels. Which represents 98.7% of the coffee farmers are in the range of small and medium producers. ------------------------------ Have you heard of your community farmers looking for financial help? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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