Pumpkin production in Panamanian territory has increased in the last five years by 160,496 quintals, which represents 117% and a growth rate compared to to last year of 21.4%, with an increase of 168,835 quintals, of which 23% was produced for the export market, according to the 2020-2021 agricultural closure report, prepared by the Directorate of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (Mida).
The provinces with the highest production of this item are Herrera, Los Santos and Chiriquí, details the Mida report published in a press release from the institution.
Similarly, the area sown and harvested increased by more than 100% in the last five years. In that sense, the participation of producers grew significantly compared to last year, it increased by 237 producers.
“In general terms agricultural production has contributed to the availability of food, with the production of 11.5 million of quintals specifically in the group of grains “said Reynaldo Solís, director of Agriculture. “In roots and tubers, developed with production technologies, despite the problems generated by climate variability and other external forces that influenced agricultural activity,” he added.
Herreranos are slightly the largest producers with 83,793.48 quintals, followed by Los Santos (82,416.69) and Chiriquí (10,737.00), thanks to the participation of the producers, who have had the support of the Government so that they remain in the field producing pumpkin, do not abandon the field and guarantee the food security of the country, producing food and generating jobs.
The indicators of recent years indicate that in the 2020-2021 agricultural cycle the production in quintals of pumpkin was 229,715; 2019-20 (121,172); 2018-19 (74,696); 2017-18 (92,110) and 2016-17 (65,153).
Regarding export, of the total production of 297,619.94 quintals of pumpkin, 67,904.57 have been for marketing outside the Panamanian borders in the 2020-21 agricultural closure. In 2019-20 it was 7,613; in 2018-19 (74,501); in 2017-18 (72,266) and in 2016-17 (71,971)
EThis agricultural year (2020-21) has generally been favorable in terms of production and crop yield, in the same way in the commercialization with stabilized prices that favor the small and medium producer, according to the analysis of the Directorate of Agriculture of Mida.
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