The appearance of pests and diseases, including varieties not adapted to the entity and environmental conditions, caused a drop in production.

The promising blueberry industry is at risk in Sinaloa due to the appearance of diseases, pests and even varieties with little genetic potential, which have had a negative impact on the production of this succulent fruit, which is credited with many nutritional and antioxidant properties.

According to the Agricultural Validation and Monitoring System (Sivasa), operated by the State Committee for Plant Health of Sinaloa, the surface area planted with the crop has decreased in recent years. Of the nearly 3 hectares that were produced in its best years, by early December only 500 had been approved with planting permits to remain in production.

Most of this area is located within the area of ​​influence of the Local Plant Health Board of Valle del Fuerte, in the northern part of the state, where authorization letters have been confirmed for 003 hectares. It should be noted that in this area, the authorized area in 2023 was 492 hectares.

Lamentable Scenario

For the president of the League of Agrarian Communities of Sinaloa, Miguel Ángel López Miranda, the current situation of this crop, which promised so much for the state, is regrettable.

«For some time now, the cultivation of blueberries and other berries has generated in us as a sector and organization a scenario of optimism and real possibilities of generating better living conditions for people who live in the countryside.

This was because it was a crop that generated a lot of labor and, therefore, had a very positive impact on the Sinaloa economy.

However, he explained that after the appearance of some diseases and pests, as well as other factors related to the genetic potential of the plants and the negative impact of the drought that has made it difficult for orchards to access quality water, the scenario for this crop became complicated overnight, causing a very negative impact on this sector and, consequently, among the thousands of day laborers it employed.

«In general, the environment has become more complicated, and the window that we had as a productive and high-impact alternative with this crop in Sinaloa has been closing. I think it is time for government entities to intervene to support these important entrepreneurs, relaunch this sector and establish public policies that allow its recovery.

Although this is a purely business sector, as a government and state we must intervene to provide facilities and support, preventing these projects from being cancelled and this being detrimental to the agricultural economy of Sinaloa.

Unemploys day laborers

He stressed the importance of the continuity of this sector, as it generates a large amount of well-paid labour, in addition to the positive impact it generates among all sectors linked to this activity.

«The transportation of personnel to the countryside also generates a great demand for employment, and these are organizations that are affiliated with the CNC. This also concerns us. Therefore, we call on the authorities to generate public policies that reorient this issue and allow the saving of such a highly profitable agricultural crop for the state of Sinaloa.»