The plan being designed by the Guatemalan government is in the revision phase, and has the aim of encouraging production of the sector and relations between producers and consumers.
Regarding the objectives of the new policy being prepared by the authorities, Pablo Girón, head of the unit of the National Council for Agricultural Development (Conadea) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (Maga), explained to Prensalibre.com that "...'The idea is to make economic development strategies for fruit production, with a vision, mission and pointing northwards, in the direction of where we want to go towards the future'."
The Agricultural Bank has set up a fund of $8.1 million, which will be used for the execution of several cocoa production projects in different parts of the country.
Through a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, the head of the institution, Osmar Benítez, explained that "... the Agricultural Bank has disposed of a fund of 400 million pesos ($8.1 million) to execute several projects to boost cocoa production in the country."
On May 17 and 18, agroindustrial companies in the region will be meeting in San Pedro Sula, where products will be exhibited and business appointments held.
In the IV edition of the Agromercados 2018 fair, which will take place at the San Pedro Sula Expo Center, the participation of at least 800 companies is expected.
Of the 2 million hectares of land estimated to be available for agricultural crops, only 40,000 are dedicated to fruit production.
Because of its climate and quality of soil, Panama has great potential for growing tropical fruits, such as mango, papaya, pineapple, avocado, coconut and citrus.However, the country's agricultural capacity is not being fully exploited.A report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said that in order to take better advantage of these conditions, "...integration of fruit chains needs to be improved in order to take advantage of the agro - ecological, logistical advantages and the geographical position Panama has."
For the 2017-2018 harvest, Honduran producers expect to maintain the high productivity levels achieved in the 2016/17 cycle, and estimate exports worth more than $70 million.
The aim of producers in this harvest is to exceed the export results obtained in the 2016/17 harvest, which is estimated at $69.5 million.Favorable climatic factors allow good levels of performance to be anticipated, as was achieved in the 2016/17 cycle, when yields exceeding 1,000 boxes per manzana were reached.
Between 2014 and 2016, the amount of land sown with crops such as coffee, palm hearts, oil palm and sugar cane, was reduced by almost 8%.
Coffee, oil palm, sugar cane, orange, palmito, cocoa, coconut, pepper and tobacco are some of the crops classified as industrial, due to the processes through which they must pass before being consumed.
Mangosteen, pitahaya, guanabana, passion fruit, uchuva, ipecacuana, pejibaye and carambola are some of the agricultural products with potential to export to markets such as Europe and America.
From a report by Procomer of Costa Rica entitled "Opportunities for commercialization of incipient agricultural products":
PROCOMER has carried out an analysis of agricultural products that have possibilities for production and expansion at the national and international level, but whose exports are few or none at all.Through the support of PROCOMER's Trade Promotion Offices, state agencies and research centers, 8 products with the highest potential for international marketing were selected: Mangosteen, pitahaya, guanabana, passion fruit, uchuva, ipecac, pejibaye and carambola.
The productivity goals set by the Solis administration for production of maize, rice, potato and beans in Costa Rica, will stay only on paper.
The the current government's proposion on assuming power in 2014 was to raise agricultural productivity, mainly from the cultivation of grains such as rice, maize and beans, but everything seems to indicate that it will be an almost impossible task.And although the government blames the climate, which may have had an effect, the reality of recent years shows that lack of agricultural productivity in Costa Rica is more linked to structural factors, such as production costs, than to other factors, such as the weather.
Agricultural exports totaled $4.7 billion in 2016, equivalent to 45% of the total amount exported by the country, and grew by 7% compared to 2015.
The most recent Agricultural Statistical Bulletin (№ 27), by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, provides detailed information on the main indicators, area and production, prices, foreign trade, credit granted to the sector, wages, public expenditure and employment.
Inefficient infrastructure and port logistics in the country is affecting the performance of exports of agricultural products such as frozen green beans, honey, fruits, tomatoes and sesame seeds, among others.
From a statement issued by Agexport:
For the second consecutive year, Guatemala 's total exports fell by 2% in 2015, for which reason exporters grouped together in AGEXPORT carried out detailed analysis of the sectors and products affected, and the impact of this loss on the country.
The aim is to identify the characteristics of the soils used in agriculture and forestry in order to achieve higher levels of productivity.
The Nicaraguan Institute of Territorial Studies (Ineter) has announced that it intends "... to cross reference information about different cultivations and how they relate to the productivity of the soil."
The private sector proposal includes building a new port in the Caribbean and improving existing ones, reviewing electricity tariffs, and creating a special tourist area in San Juan del Sur and Tola.
The private union has submitted a proposal for development in 2020 that focuses on five areas: financing; infrastructure and services; public management and facilitation; education system and human capital; and innovation in business management.
The government has announced that in the first quarter of 2017 it will start construction of an irrigation system in the district of Renacimiento, province of Chiriqui.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Agricultural Development:
At an estimated cost of 6 million dollars, the government of the Republic of Panama, through the Ministry of Agricultural Development -MIDA-, will build an irrigation system in Montelirio, district of Renacimiento, which will greatly increase and diversify production in the area.
Only Costa Rica has an "well developed agricultural research system" in a region that "has lagged behind in terms of infrastructure, investment and research capabilities."
From a statement issued by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture:
San Jose, October 26, 2016 (IICA).The investment that some countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have made in agricultural research has progressively increased in recent years, however, there are considerable differences with other countries in the region: some have investments of up to 1.8% of Real Agricultural Domestic Product (PIBag), but others invest only 0, 1%.
A bill originating from the executive branch proposes stimulating the purchase of equipment and agricultural materials by reducing sales tax from 15% to 3%.
The bill on Agrifood submitted to Congress proposes a series of measures to stimulate the agricultural sector, including a reduction from 15% to 3% in the sales tax on the purchase of machinery and other materials.