Panama: Potato production grew by almost 30% in the last five years.
MIDA noted that yields and producer participation are fundamental to success. Over the past five years, this participation has increased by 70%, equivalent to 130 producers with a cumulative growth rate of 11.3%.
Potato production in Panama reached 518,613 quintals annually, marking an increase of 28.8% compared to the 402,625 quintals recorded in the previous cycle, according to the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA).
This crop is supported by 314 producers nationwide. Official data indicates that 99.8% of production is concentrated in the province of Chiriquí, while the Ngäbe Buglé Comarca contributes the remaining 0.2%.
To achieve this increase, the planted area increased by 239 hectares, representing a growth of 29.5%, while the harvest expanded by 199 hectares, equivalent to 24.6% more.
Economically, the crop generated an impact of 17.5 million balboas in agricultural goods and services. The breakdown shows that 62% corresponds to the use of agricultural inputs, 11% to unskilled labor, 10% to soil preparation, and 16% to technical and administrative activities.
Despite these advances, the growing season faced challenges due to climate variability, diseases, and problems with seed availability and quality. The Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) reported the loss of 3.88 hectares, 90% of which were in the indigenous region, and left 34.47 hectares unharvested, equivalent to 19,323.3 quintals.
Fuente: metrolibre.com
