On its way to regaining first place in Central America as a producer of grain, Honduras cultivated 4.400 hectares in 2013, quadruple the amount cultivated in 2010.
"We had 1,000 acres in production in 2010 and now we have about 4,400 and we expect that figure to continue growing," said Jacobo Regalado, chief of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG).
Aquafeed will produce 100 thousand tons of feed for fish and shrimp for its partner Aquafinca other aquaculture businesses.
The new company, which has set itself up in the town of San Francisco de Yojoa, was created through a partnership between Aquafinca and Gisis S.A. of Ecuador.
Orlando Delgado, Aquafinca's manager, explained that previously fish food had to be imported from Ecuador but with this new company that will not be necessary.
About 100 thousand plants in the citrus departments north and east of the country have been destroyed by the yellow leaf virus.
Prensalibre.com reports: "Honduras' citrus production covers about 23,000 hectares, of which about 19,500 are oranges, 1.100 lemons and 500 grapefruit in commercial plantations, while the rest are crops in family estates".
In the last three years 40,000 hectares have been added to the activity, considered the most profitable in the country's agricultural sector.
The chief of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG), Jacobo Regalado, explained that three years ago there were 105,000 hectares of plantations and that 2013 could close with over 160,000 hectares. He added that the processing capacity has also increased, by 33%, which has generated $50 million in additional annual export earnings, with 2012 closing with a total of $304 million.
Beef and chicken, eggs, orange juice concentrate, palm oil, beans, coffee and corn flour, are the products that Honduras will export to Venezuela as payment for the oil it will receive from the country.
Honduras will export about $60 million worth of agricultural products per month to Venezuela as payment for the oil received from that nation through the Petrocaribe agreement.
Authorities at the Ministry of Agriculture have been to the United States to negotiate the entry of Honduran chicken to that market.
The delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) will be completing the process to gain authorization for Honduran chicken meat to enter the country with officials from the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
More investment and marketing improvements will allow an increase in production of 20 million cases, which promises $200 million in exports in 2013.
The director of the National Agricultural Health Service of Honduras (SENASA), Heriberto Amador, said, "We have signed bilateral and multilateral agreements... we believe that according to the expectations of the head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG), James Regalado, with some projects such as EMPRENDESUR and PRESACCESO among others, between 2013 and 2015 1,500 million lempiras ($75.3 million) will be invested across different departments. "
The measure is being considered due to a reduction of 400,000 liters in domestic production.
"We have had reports from artisanal and industrial sectors that there is less milk available in the country and therefore may have to authorize an importation to cover the shortfall in domestic production," stated Agriculture Secretary Jacobo Regalado.
Elheraldo.hn reported that the president of the National Federation of Farmers and Ranchers, Leopoldo Duran, has confirmed that milk production has declined by 400,000 liters.
Later this month construction will begin on a plant for drying and storing onions in the municipality of Güinope, El Paraíso.
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG), Jacobo Regalado, also announced the planned construction of another plant in the department of Ocotepequeuna. In addition, a facility for drying and storing potatoes will be built in Intibucá.
With this agreement the U.S. market opens up to Honduran greenhouse tomatoes.
A press release from the National Agricultural Health Service of Honduras reads:
The National Health Service (SENASA in Spanish), Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG in Spanish) have signed this day a protocol and work plan for the export of peppers and tomatos with the Agricultural Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture which will open up the market for tomatoes.
In order to address the shortage of the grain the government has allowed the import of 18,000 tons duty free.
In coordination with producers and millers, importation will be permitted until 31 December, said Jacobo Regalado, Secretary of Agriculture.
"Regalado urges that the importation process be completed quickly. 'We want the industry to move with their usual agility to ensure that the rice enters the country soon", he said.
Failure to do so will result in a lawsuit being filed against the Nicaraguan government for creating trade barriers.
The Honduran government on Monday has given a deadline of September 19 for the situation to be reversed otherwise they will proceed with a Chancery suit or through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, said the director of the National Service of Agricultural Health (SENASA ), Heriberto Amador.
The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has declared the country free of classic swine fever.
Since 2006 the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG), the National Service of Agricultural Health (SENASA) and the International Regional Organization for Animal Health (OIRSA) have worked together to eradicate the disease.
"The losses from this blight this year amounted to four million dollars, so it’s successfully eradication opens a window of opportunity for production and marketing.
Congress will be sent a bill that seeks to order and regulate the fishing industry.
With the goal of modernizing the legal framework that regulates fishing in Honduras, an industry of great importance to the country, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) has reviewed the current law, dating from 1959, and made several modifications.
Some of these changes relate to the management of fisheries, the code of good fishing practice, and action plans to prevent and deter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
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