The Banapiña de Panama SA company, a subsidiary of the Del Monte company, announced that, since it plans to start planting bananas in May, it had begun surveying and cleaning the farms; a necessary step so that they can achieve a production that meets the quality standards required by the international market.
Humberto Serrano, of the Special Commission for the reactivation of the banana sector in Baru said that there were 10 surveyors who have been working in the Jobito and Mango farms, where they have already started the cleaning of rubble, trees, and clearing the areas.
He also said there were about 80 people working with the new company, including administrative staff, surveyors and cleaning staff. Once they complete their work, they will allow the entry of special equipment to condition the water channels and adapt the necessary structures in each of the farms.
According to expectations, in May some 300 people will be working directly in the fields, and the hiring process of the personnel that will work in the packing plants and in the entire process required to import bananas will begin.
A source revealed that the renting of land from the last of the 1,600 banana workers who were granted a hectare of land by the government (who now are leased it to the government, which in turn leased it to the Banapiña de Panama SA company) was in its final stage.
This process is being carried out so that the company can enter the former banana plantations and continue with the banana reactivation process.
At present, the Banapiña de Panama SA company is carrying out the necessary procedures to obtain all the permits required to produce and export bananas to international markets.
Source: panamaamerica.com.pa