There is a possibility of closure at the airstrip "Amable Calle" of Tres Cerritos, according to the banana unions. Some 46 million 800 thousand boxes of fruit per year -60% of domestic export production - would not be shippable as a result of the possible closure of the airstrip. It would also lead to a suspension of phytosanitary processes against black sigatoka which could affect 30,000 hectares of the total 50,000 hectares in El Oro.
Winter and the over-exploitation of building materials extracted from the riverbed and banks of the Jubones river, now threatens the phytosanitary fumigation process against the black sigatoka fungus over 60% of the banana production in El Oro; officially estimated at 50,000 hectares.The rising of the river level which starts in the mountains of Mollopongo, Azuay, which forms the watershed that covers the areas of Pasaje, el Guabo and Machala has been caused by the harsh winter that hit the upper and lower provincial Ourense, the coast and central highlands of Ecuador.
The rise of the river swept a away weakened breakwater built more than sixty years ago. According to experts this is due to overexploitation of building materials, within the concession area, given 16 years ago to a private investor. On 29th of February, the helplessness of the airstrip "Amable Calle" was seen, this is where about 19 aircraft fumigants used against the dreaded fungus are based.
The Orense Banana Association, through its chairman Alberto Serrano Zambrano, the Chamber of Banana Producers of el Oro led by Raul Lara and Pasaje´s Agricultural Center headed by Esteban Chuchuca demanded that the National Government establish a thorough investigation to determine responsibilities.
Source: Diariopinion