The situation faced by plantain producers is complex. The high temperatures in recent weeks have forced them to water their crops, which undermines their economy, said Sergio Eduardo Graillet Contreras, president of the Plantain Product System in the state of Veracruz.
He said: "We are seeing this year's temperatures are high, so we've had to start watering our crops. Unfortunately, irrigation costs have increased because of the increase in diesel and electrical power prices. Thus, irrigating is not very profitable for us at this moment."
He said several producers would continue working to maintain this culture that has sustained them for years, even though the current plantain prices are not so good for producers.
He said that the high temperatures caused serious damage to the production, as the crops only require 80% of the vital liquid to produce quality fruit, but they are now being regularly watered due to the high temperatures.
One of the problems faced by producers is low prices, as the production was affected by the low temperatures in the first month of the year and the market doesn't want to buy these fruits.
He said they expected to recover from this slump in April, when they should harvest new fruit and the low temperatures will have dispersed completely, which largely helps the situation.
Finally, he said that the annual members meeting would be held on March 23, and that they were going to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Plantain, Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association of this municipality.
Source: diarioelmartinense.com.mx