The Ministry of Agriculture in El Salvador announced a significant initiative to enhance the citrus cultivation sector by establishing two citrus processing plants in the country. As part of this endeavor, 50 acres of land in the western region will be dedicated to the cultivation of lemons, contributing to the overall strengthening of this crop.

The government’s focus on revitalizing the Salvadoran agricultural sector includes strategic investments in citrus cultivation across various regions. Oscar Dominguez, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, revealed that the key component of this effort involves the establishment of two processing plants. The produced citrus will be utilized for both domestic consumption and export purposes.

A notable aspect of this initiative is the introduction of a new lemon variety, which will undergo experimental cultivation on 50 acres of land in the western part of the country. Deputy Minister Dominguez emphasized that upon successful trial results, the cultivation will expand to 3,000 acres in the western region, gradually extending the project to other territories.

«In collaboration with a group of Salvadoran lemon producers, integral to this significant project, we are working towards obtaining a lemon variety resistant to Huanglongbing (HLB), a citrus-attacking pest. This variety has the potential to increase the average tree yield by up to 30%. Comprehensive plans for plantation management and nutrition, incorporating high-quality and affordable inputs, have been developed,» stated Dominguez.

The Deputy Minister highlighted the employment generation potential of the upcoming project, aiming to stimulate the economic activity of various local producers. «A fundamental factor we are incorporating is direct marketing, eliminating intermediaries. We will facilitate access to both national and international markets for the producers,» he affirmed.

Dominguez also mentioned the ongoing support provided by the Ministry of Agriculture to the citrus subsector in San Juan Opico, La Libertad. This support includes commercial opportunities within and outside the country, without intermediaries, and access to specialized technical assistance.

«Over 5,000 acres of green lemons, yellow lemons, and mandarins are cultivated in Opico. While a container of green lemons was dispatched to the United States, I informed citrus farmers about the assistance available in terms of labor, direct commercial opportunities, and access to specialized technical support,» shared Dominguez.

Highlighting the superior quality of Salvadoran lemons in the region, Dominguez attributed this to the favorable climate and soil conditions in which they are grown. «Our Salvadoran lemons, including the Indian variety, stand out for their high quality due to our unique climate,» he emphasized.

The initiative not only promises to boost citrus production but also aims to create a sustainable and thriving citrus industry, contributing to the overall agricultural development of El Salvador.