The production and export of eggplant is on the rise in the Honduran municipality of Danlí, El Paraíso, thanks to the product's success both at a national and international level. The product is subject to inspections in the field and in the packing plants by the National Service of Health and Food Safety (Senasa) of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG).
The vegetable, which is grown on a larger scale in the Comayagua Valley, has also allowed producers in the eastern zone to devote themselves to the crop's cultivation. "Currently, we have about 5 manzanas in production (1 manzana = approx. 0.7 hectares)," said Julian Valladares, production manager of Honduproduce.
Victor Rivera, regional head of Danlí, El Paraíso, said that "the companies are very accessible and follow good agricultural and manufacturing practices, complying with biosecurity measures, also in the plant, where we recommend the use of footbaths, rodent control, the use of plastic bulbs, water spillage prevention, and the implementation of a series of rules and safety standards required by Senasa."
Josué Irmes González, Honduproduce zone manager in Danlí, said that "the fruit is shipped to the United States, where we have satisfied customers since what we are exporting meets the national standards and those of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture."
They are shipping 2 containers per week, and at the plant, the personnel is trained for the washing and can pack 56 boxes per hour. "We have 20 people employed permanently and generate about 150 jobs indirectly. We receive a lot of support from Senasa."
Honduproduce is also devoted to the production and export of eggplant in Comayagua, from where more containers are shipped to the North American market, with phytosanitary assistance provided by the Government.
Source: prensa.sag.gob.hn
