COMMUNICATIONS PRA I Success Stories Ancash - Return of the Papaya
Return of the Papaya
AFTER THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF A VIRUS, NEW CULTIVATION AREAS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED. THIS IS THE STORY OF A PROMISSING EXPERIENCE.
El Comercio –Sunday February 28, 2010
Papaya cultivation (mainly in Peru’s Costa and part of the Selva) has had its bad moments. The pata de rana virus disseminated to several areas, deforming the fruit and bringing many plantations to the verge of extinction.
However, this prompted a search for areas free from the virus, including valleys where papaya had never been cultivated before. This was the case of the valleys of Puchka (Province of Huari, Ancash) and Huagsha (Province of Huacaybamba, Huánuco), where the Poverty Reduction and Alleviation Project (PRA) decided to support the development of plantations for three years. The chosen areas have a tropical weather, with an altitude below 2,000 m.a.s.l. and an average temperature of 20°C. Thanks to these conditions, the fruit gained certain favorable qualities: sweet flavor, firm pulp, and resistant skin (a protection during transportation to Lima, the main market).
The PRA persuaded Frudersel, which supplies local supermarkets with several kinds of fruit, to cultivate 10 hectares in Huagsha. It provided the seed and encouraged small farmers to join in. Currently 24 hectares are being cultivated and, according to Hernán Díaz, a PRA business manager, the area can be expanded to 60 hectares. It is expected that the partnership with Frudersel (which participates in capacity building activities for farmers) will open new markets.
FACTS
- CURRENTLY there are 24 hectares under cultivation. Cultivation has been implemented by stages to ensure a continuous supply during the year.
- ACCORDING TO ESTIMATES, by the third year sales will reach S/.900.000.
- THE PRA PROJECT works in partnership with Fondo Minero Antamina, the Clinton Foundation, and USAID.