Agriculture seeks strategies for local crop development - Puerto Rico Daily Sun - July 9, 2009

Front Page Photo: Harvesting the future - Gov. Fortuno and Manati Juan Aubin Manzano tour a pineapple plantation in the northern coastal town as part of the governor's foucus on promoting local agriculture in lieu of food imports. During the visit, Fortuno Administration officials vowed to revitalize the ailing agriculture industry by providing the needed technology and support to open new markets. Developing egg production, coffee and leafy vegetables markets are some of the new strategies the Agriculture Department is looking to boost the sector during the new fiscal year, said Agriculture Secretary Javier Rivera Aquino Wednesday. He noted that the agency has already received a number of proposals that fit with the public policy established. "We have a number of projects in the area of egg production that we feel could produce a dramatic growth in the sector;' he said "Through financing from the Economic Development Bank guaranteed by the Integral Agricultural Development Fund, weve already secured a number of structures that were in disuse, which we will put back into operation." Furthermore, he said the agency is working on increasing the production of leafy vegetables.along the southern region. They are also searching for ways to improve the quality and yield of locally harvested coffee, in order to broaden its reach. "Puerto Rico'scoffee business is a bit tight and we have to look for new horizons. In fact, the governor has already approached the government of Israel and it is possible that we will be conducting a commercial mission to that country next year;' said Rivera Aquinon. "The main crop will be Puerto Rican coffee. But for that to happen, we have to meet expectations,' he said [Continued in Extended Entry section.]