Deputy Minister of Development of Family Farming and Agrarian Infrastructure and Irrigation, Jose Muro, on Wednesday affirmed that Peru is emerging as one of the world's main producers of naturally fertilized organic food.
He referred to the food that is naturally fertilized with guano from the islands —such as coffee, cacao, bananas, grapes, and avocados— as this provides a distinctive characteristic compared to other products using agrochemical fertilizers.
"There is a growing demand from small-scale agricultural producers for guano from the islands to use it as a natural fertilizer, since this provides added value to the food they sell, helping them gain better prices and a better quality of life," he explained.
According to the government official, Peru should take advantage of the fact that international markets currently prefer organic nutrients. Therefore, small-scale Peruvian producers can offer the food they grow with natural fertilizers.
"Peru —due to special characteristics of its highlands, jungle, and coast— can produce various organic crops, thanks to its biodiversity and different altitudes," he explained.
The guano from the islands provides soils with fertilizers of the different macro and micro elements that crops require as food to achieve higher yield levels and maintain the required quality.
"According to the
Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), one of the biggest challenges now is to meet the great demand for 'guano from the islands' from small-scale producers dedicated to family farming and agro-exporters who diversify their markets," the deputy minister explained.
(END) NDP/VLA/RMB/MVB
Published: 7/14/2021