PARAGUANA: Diversifying the national economic market is one of the most important challenges of our times. The state of Falcon is seen as a potentially dynamic area that can assist in this regard from different means: tourism, energy, and agriculture.
The western entity strategically uses its natural bonanzas to expedite this diversification. Currently, it does it through the activation of the first collection center for sorting and packing exports of melon and watermelon. The center is located in the Peninsula of Paraguana, in the area of Santa Ana; which has been certified by international health authorities, as it is free of fruit flies.
Bladimir Martinez, president of the Pro Paraguana Foundation, which is affiliated with the government of Falcon, told the Venezuelan News Agency (AVN) that this project complied with the policies of variability in non-oil revenues and that it would also boost exports of the food industry.
The center, which is 90% complete and is expected to be opened in late 2015, will have areas for the selection of melons and watermelons destined for international markets, such as the US and Europe.
Getting ready for new markets
Paraguana has 1,200 hectares that could potentially be used for the production of melons. Tentatively, 500 hectares with a production capacity of 25,000 kilos/hectare will be developed with the goal of achieving a daily collection of 70 tons of melons and watermelons.
Martinez stated that, for example, the North American market has a consumption pattern that mainly demands melons and watermelons that weight between 1.1 and 1.2 kilograms.
“We produce 30,000 kilos per hectare, 60% of which is exportable, while the remaining 40% is discarded because it is overweight and it is sent to the domestic market,” he said.
He added that this center would allow the selection of melon and watermelon through machines so they can supply the export demand, especially in the months of November and May, the period in which production in North America and Europe decreases because of winter.
The center will also have a space for storing and refrigerating eight tons of fruit, which will ensure the smooth flow in the process of international supply and demand.
“These markets are very sensitive, having an infrastructure like this collection center will guarantee that we meet their demand, which was once impossible because we did not have the necessary infrastructure for storage,” he said.
Economic impact
According to the agricultural expert, the export of these items will generate foreign exchange earnings to the country, it will expand the agricultural frontier in the area, create jobs, and stimulate the state’s economic sector.
“To export melons, we need boxes; to plant a melon, we need plastic covers to prevent damage to the fruit. We also need ships with refrigeration to transport the fruit. There’s an important businesses movement related to the production of these fruits. That is to say, this will boost the agricultural and port activity,” he said.
Martinez said that, in order to facilitate exports, the food industry in the area needed to perform some adjustments to guarantee the fruits were free of the melon and watermelon, such as the activation of spaces to store water that would allow them to exploit the intensity and short duration of the rains in the locality.
Additionally, he suggested setting up a program to build water wells.
Apart from the international market, the selection and packing center, which has had an investment that exceeds 20 million bolivares, will also be working for the national market. Domestic producers will have access to a quality package service , so they can ship their products to the entire network of private and public distribution.
The economic expansion of the nation is starting to take shape and Falcon aims to become one of the main axes of nutrition.
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