Given the various inclement weather and effects of the climate change in ArteagaApple producers report that this year they will only be delivering 15 percent of their regular production.
Jose Recioproducer of this product, confirms that these have been very complicated months due to the heavy loss that occurred due to the late frosts that occurred.
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“The truth is that it is not even 20%, I think we have a little less, like 15%. Unfortunately, all this was due to a climate issue entirely, we had frosts very strong right now”, the producer mentioned.
Faced with these problems, the government sector has opened programs for producers of various sizes for the delivery of heaters, anti-hail nets and other inputs.
“Thanks to the governor, to the Engineer Manolo Jimenezwe are going to receive support where equipment is being provided to control frost, both heaters and anti-hail nets, as well as irrigation, but basically equipment to be able to deal with frost, which is what is only hitting us”Recio confirmed.
With the changes in emergency resource issues from the federal governmentthere is currently no federal insurance, so these types of resources are not applicable.
“First, there was a lot of unemployment in the whole apple area in Arteaga, there was no picking or packing, so many people were left without jobs. As for us, it really affects us because production costs are very high,” pointed out the apple tree.
Despite the low production, the price of the fruit is still very low, and to this we must add that labor and inputs continue to become more expensive year after year. Despite this, the apple grower assures that, as long as they are prepared, it will still be business.
“Yes, it can be profitable, because they are cycles, every year is different. Seeing the climate changeI believe that apple production will become more and more difficult, however, if we are prepared with the necessary equipment to combat frost, I believe that we can continue to be second in the country as an apple producer,” declared José Recio.
In the event that the government at any level seeks to deliver fertilization supportsthese will be welcomed by producers, as they have to begin preparing for the next cycle.
“But we have already started with post-harvest issues. At the end of the day, the trees continue to eat, we have to feed them and, if we do not pay due attention to them, it will hurt us more for the coming year, if we leave it without putting in fertilization”said the apple producer.
