To encourage the cultivation of tomatoes in the San Pablo Malacate community of this municipality, the Ministry of Agricultural Development (SEDAGRO) through the Economic Support Program for Productive Projects, channeled the funds in order to purchase two tunnels greenhouse type.

Juan Carlos Arroyo Garcia, general director of Rural Development & Marketing, said that the support consisted in give them the 50 percent for the installation of the tunnels, each with an area of 250 square meters, with plastic cover and manual roller blinds with protective mesh . .

He noted that three years after starting, the six partners have not only managed to produce eight tons of tomatoes a month, but processes to add value to what he said, allows producers to obtain greater income for themselves and their families.

He explained that once they began to get production, Research and Training Institute for Agriculture, Aquaculture and Forestry of the State of Mexico (ICAMEX), gave them advice and equipment needed to produce sauces, ketchup, liquor and candy, to to add value to primary production.

The state official said Vilchis Horticultural Group is considered a successful project, by virtue of having shown that in addition to maximize the support, market their products in the region, both fresh and processed tomato.

Arroyo Garcia said that once entrenched in both production and processing of tomato, SEDAGRO support them through Consolidation Program agroindustrial projects, to meet the requirements of the major shopping centers for marketing, such as trademark registration , labels, packaging and bar code.

www.galeria7.com - 6 February 2010