Dragon fruit producers in the province of Morona Santiago received machines to cultivate the fruit after harvest. The machine, which will be used to wash and dry the dragon fruit, has a processing capacity of 1,000 kg/hour, which is estimated to fill a 20-foot container every day, an activity previously done by producers in about three days.
According to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), more than 3,000 hectares of pitahaya are grown nationally, mainly in Morona Santiago. In this province, about a thousand producers are engaged in this sector, on an area of 1,495 hectares, with a production of 17,234 tons.
Nobis Fruit Company already exports between one and two tons of blueberries per week and is looking to grow in Europe and Asia
MAG reported that the delivery of the machines was carried out through the Comprehensive Agro-Productive Diversification and Agricultural Conversion (Pidara) Project, and $132,327 was invested in subsidizing this equipment which was delivered to members of the Pitahaya Producers and Marketing Association and other Palos. products; Association for Agricultural Fruit Production of West Palora Frutas del Oeste de Palora and Association of Small Pitahayeros and Producers of Alternative Crops Morona Santiago.
IN #MoronaSantiagodeputy ministers @EstebanD_Hierro and @FranciscoMinuch They supplied post-harvest pitahaya machines to Asopalora, Appycams and West Palora associations. Thanks to this tool, manufacturers will optimize processes and improve quality… pic.twitter.com/g5ws08ljvC
— Agriculture and livestock Ecuador 🇪🇨 (@AgriculturaEc) December 20, 2023
Esteban del Hierro, deputy minister of agricultural production development of MAG, emphasized the boost that this machinery will give to fruit exports. “This delivery will allow them to optimize the washing and drying stages to obtain a quality product, as desired by consumers in China, the United States of America, Hong Kong, Canada, Spain, among others,” he said.
Ecuador and China: “We are in the best moment of bilateral relations”, Andrés Zhang
In addition, through the Animal Health Control and Regulation Agency (Agrocalidad), pitahaya producers were awarded 23 certificates of good agricultural practice. This document recognizes sustainable fruit production.
Source: Eluniverso

Alia is a professional author and journalist, working at 247 news agency. She writes on various topics from economy news to general interest pieces, providing readers with relevant and informative content. With years of experience, she brings a unique perspective and in-depth analysis to her work.