Colombia: Potato prices have the sector in crisis in Nariño
Leaders of this sector have announced a real crisis in the potato production sector, pointing out that low prices have been affecting their economy, especially in Nariño, which is one of the largest producers of the tuber in the country.
In this regard, the leader of this sector, Harvey Enríquez, stated that the crisis in potato cultivation in Colombia is severely affecting farmers, pointing out that the crisis is hitting producers hard, who can no longer cover even their basic expenses.
Previously, a kilo of Capira variety potatoes on farms cost 2,300 pesos per kilo and now it has dropped to 700 pesos per kilo. On the other hand, Creole potatoes cost 2,300 pesos per kilo and have dropped to 300 pesos per kilo. As if that were not enough, farmers have to deal daily with high production costs, phytosanitary problems, imports, droughts, frosts, hail, strikes, road closures, among other difficulties, said the sector leader.
Consequences
The situation is even more critical considering that many farmers work with loans, which generates fear of facing legal proceedings and losing their land. Enríquez made an urgent call to the authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture to take adequate protective measures to face this crisis that threatens the economic stability of thousands of families.
The crisis in the potato sector in Nariño is a reflection of the challenges facing agriculture in Colombia, a sector that needs prompt intervention to guarantee, firstly, food security and secondly, the sustainability of thousands of peasant families who derive their livelihood from this important sector of the economy in the department of Nariño.
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