One of the ministries that had the most activity in 2022 was that of Agriculture and Livestock, its head, Bernardo Manzano, who came to the post on May 4, 2022, faced agricultural strikes, production drops, problems with the pricing of some products, increase in the cost of inputs for production due to the war in Russia and Ukraine, among others.
Manzano, who succeeded two previous ministers in this government: Tanlly Vera and Pedro Álava, took stock with Diario EL UNIVERSO of the priority issues that the Ministry handled in 2022 and the challenges and expectations for this 2023.
Unibanana System
The banana industry is one of the sectors with which the MAG had the greatest interaction in 2022. One of the issues criticized and denounced by the producers was the Unibanano system, through which information on contracts and payments for exports is entered. An audit revealed the shortcomings of the program and Manzano assured that a new one would be hired.
He assured that, however, they assigned more personnel to attend to and control the system and security was raised. Regarding the new program, Manzano pointed out that resources for $2.6 million were obtained, although he clarified that it is a ceiling and that throughout the contracting process they hope to lower that value.
The minister revealed that the process for the new program has three phases and that the new software would be up and running by 2024.
All the information on banana exports worked with an operating system that was almost twenty years old and will be removed
rice price
For 2022, the MAG set the short-grain paddy rice sack at $32.50 and the long-grain rice at $34.50. Manzano acknowledged that at the beginning of the year there were problems with the piladoras, but assured that the price stabilized after a series of operations.
“When they wanted to lower the price of rice a few months ago, they became operational, four piladoras were closed, the piladores came to talk to me, I told them that things are right or they are fulfilled or they are fulfilled and thank God they stabilized” said the minister.
Regarding the surpluses, which are estimated at 120,000 tons for this 2023, Manzano pointed out that they are trying to place them in international markets and also, a part, will be used for the school breakfast that will have a mixture of rice pudding for the second semester. of the year.
Regarding exports, he indicated that it is expected to export to Colombia between 90,000 and 100,000 tons after the harvest that comes out between April and May; and there is also an opportunity with Chile. “There is an opportunity to send 2,000 tons as a test and if it goes well for us to send much more.”
Sugar cane
In 2022, and after seven years, the MAG increased the price per ton of sugarcane from $31.70 to $35.05; however, the industrial sector refused to pay the increase and filed a protection action, which it won and maintains the price set by the MAG, which appealed the judicial decision, has not been made official.
In this regard, Manzano indicated that the process continues.
“We are currently working on the legal issue, we hope that this will soon end in these months to be able to certify the price issue,” and despite the fact that the fixed price is not applied, he affirmed that the price situation has improved for producers They currently receive between $33.70 and $34 per ton of sugarcane.
Judicial unit annuls the increase in the price of a ton of sugarcane that would return to $31.70, the value that was frozen for seven years
Loans at 1% up to 30 years term
He clarified that the Ministry of Agriculture subsidizes the rate of these loans with 15 points so that small farmers have a 1% loan for up to 30 years. He indicated that in 2022, $135 million was placed with around 50,000 farmers, exceeding the goal at the beginning of the year, which was $118 million.
And he revealed that the MAG will take out another loan with BanEcuador in 2023 that is at 5% interest for 10 years, with a 3-year grace period for amounts of $5,000 to $20,000 focused on agro-sustainable projects. “Ecuador is number 1 in exports of agro-sustainable products to the European Union, followed by China and then the Dominican Republic.”
Fusarium
When affirming that Ecuador continues without the presence of Fusarium Race 4, the minister maintained that the budget to keep the plague out of the country will be similar to that of 2022, although he assured that if there is an emergency, the resources would increase. Last year $8 million was allocated to prevent the plague from entering the country, according to what the Government announced at the time.
Regarding the tolerant varieties that MAG imported in 2022, he assured that they are under observation and are reviewing with Agrocalidad the possibility of bringing another variety to Ecuador. However, if there is an emergency of the pest in the country, the Iniap laboratories are able to prepare tolerant plants.
“The advantage is in vitro preparation, when there is a problem you can prepare many plants through technology (…)”, Manzano explained, although he clarified that “the first thing is always to detect and control, the same with the change you lose, because changing the variety has a non-harvest period of nine to ten months, that’s why we always prefer that, detect and control”.
Investment of more than $8 million to prevent the arrival of Fusarium race 4
More fairs and continuity of programs for 2023
Regarding the challenges for this year, Bernardo Manzano assured that they will prioritize the commercial issue, that agricultural products sell well so that the producer is calm, continue with the programs that have been successful such as the urea plan and the subsidy plan. “As long as there is this imported inflation of agrochemicals, we still have to continue supporting small producers, it is also important to keep their costs under control.”
Another point is to continue with the fairs. He assured that 200 fairs were held in 2022 and by 2023 they plan to hold 200 monthly fairs. “That was the commitment at the dialogue tables, to increase the fairs so that people have their products at a good price, to always bring together the small producer with the consumer.” (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
