The project "Blueberries in the Desert", located in the Pampa del Tamarugal, Colonia Pintados, has been launched to evaluate the technical and productive feasibility of growing blueberries under desert conditions. Supported by SQM Iodine Crop Nutrition, the initiative aims to diversify regional agriculture and create opportunities for growers through the study of 26 blueberry varieties in a greenhouse setting.
The focus is on optimizing water use, adapting to extreme climatic conditions, and building local capacity by training farmers and communities to transform limited resources into productive alternatives. "There is no other greenhouse in Chile with this number of varieties," said Atilio Narváez, Deputy Manager of Social Programs at SQM, highlighting the challenge of securing the right genetic material with the help of technical advisors.
Juan Francisco Palma, SQM's Manager of Development and Innovation, noted that the project reflects "the demands communities are placing on us," relying on Chilean technology and fertilizers while drawing on experience from blueberry cultivation in countries such as Mexico, China, and Chile.
Farmer Orlando Ramos thanked Jorge Esquivel and Juan Palma for their work in obtaining 26 suitable genetic varieties. He explained that the plants are currently in an adaptation phase, with some being discarded due to poor performance in desert conditions, but with the expectation of identifying varieties that can thrive in the region.
Globally, blueberry acreage increased by 32% between 2019 and 2023, reaching 262,000 hectares and 1.7 million tons of production, placing Chile among the world's top six producers. The country's northern region is showing promising potential for blueberry development, with strategic opportunities ahead.
According to Ronald Yavar, Regional Secretary of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation for Tarapacá, the importance of the project goes beyond the crop itself: "It also drives processes of innovation, technology, and research in desert areas, helping to promote a robust production chain."
Source: vilasradio.cl
