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PROJECT ON THE REHABILITATION AND MODERNIZATION OF THE PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC BANANA FOR EXPORT IN ALTO BENI, BOLIVIA |
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| Contributed by Jorge Ríos, Chief, Alternative Development Unit | |
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The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organization of American States (CICAD/OAS), in conjunction with the Dirección Técnica de la Red Internacional para el Mejoramiento del Banano y el Plátano - INIBAP (Technical Office of the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain -INIBAP), and with the support of the Vice Ministry of Alternative Development (VIMDESALT), is implementing a project entitled “Rehabilitation and Modernization of the Production of Organic Banana for Export in Alto Beni, Bolivia”. |
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In a two-year period (2002-2004) the project seeks to rehabilitate, modernize, and improve banana plantations, as well as increase the economic income and employment opportunities of more than 500 rural families of the Yungas, while discouraging the illicit cultivation of coca. In general, organic agriculture is
known for its use of techniques that avoid the use of fertilizers and
synthetic pesticides, but it has a greater scope in the sense that its
purpose is to achieve a “clean” and sustainable agricultural
production. In the same manner, it constitutes an alternative production
model with a holistic vision since it integrates ecological, economic,
human, social, and cultural aspects while seeking a return that allows
for the farmers to achieve a decent standard of living without
sacrificing natural resources or the quality of life of the farmers. This vision is also introduced in
project activities: improving
the production and harvesting techniques; packaging the bananas in
plastic containers so that the product arrives in good condition to its
final destination thus assuring a good price; and finally, in providing
special marketing agreements such as the program “Breakfast in
Schools” in La Paz, creating the “institutional banana”. In the
same manner, there is a great interest in improving and strengthening
the associations of banana and plantain producers, and other types of
community-based organizations, promoting the participation of the
beneficiaries from the initiation and definition of the project. The great challenge of the project
is to ensure that the production of organic banana in Alto Beni is
ecologically sustainable and economically profitable in the long run,
and as a result, improve the quality of life of the families that are
benefited from the project. With this in mind, on March 11th
there was an introduction of organic bananas to the local markets in La
Paz, followed by an exhibit and tasting of the product.
This event was attended by potential buyers both from the private
and public sectors, local media, and Bolivian Government authorities. |
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