Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Chiquita Turns to Organic Bananas

By - - and IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

TEGUCIGALPA, Mar 24 2007 (IPS) - The U.S. transnational company Chiquita Brands has proposed a plan to the Honduran government to grow organic bananas, free of agrochemicals, in the southern part of the country. This was reported to Tierramérica by the vice-minister for agriculture, Mario Ramón López, who also said the first 100 hectares of this pilot project will be cultivated before the end of the year.

The investment of 1.3 million dollars will be channeled through the state-run National Agricultural Development Bank as soft loans to some 52 banana growers in the southern department of Valle.

“In addition to fomenting an environmentally friendly approach, the idea is to reactivate development in that region, one of the country's poorest. The studies presented by Chiquita ensure production without great risk,” said the official.

Bananas are the second leading national export of Honduras, mainly through Chiquita, and generate about 150 million dollars annually.