Los Mochis, Sinaloa.- In just three years, a farmer from northern Sinaloa managed to produce an important area of ​​blueberry cultivation in pots.

The farmer Lenín García is very proud of the blueberries that he has managed to produce here in the lower parts of the valley, and how not to be if he has achieved what few: make produce the cultivation in pots and give the fruit a unique flavor.

The batch in production with the succulent fruit, which is attributed nutritional properties and antioxidants totally beneficial for health, currently occupies a physical extension close to 4 hectares and is part of an integral project that aims to expand in the coming years until the 16 hectares and is located on land of the Sevelbampo Irrigation Module.

He acknowledges that it was not easy to undertake this project at the outset, since, apart from its high cost, there are many agronomic aspects that it involves, in addition that they were initially affected by the heavy rains caused by the tropical depression 19-E faced in September of 2018 that left them with serious floods in an important part of freshly planted pots, but fortunately they managed to get ahead and today they begin to see the first fruits.

Adaptation. A proof of the excellent adaptation shown by the cultivation of the valley. Photo: THE DEBATE

Accompanied by his children, the farmer, who is an agronomist, agreed to the interview previously requested by EL DEBATE and while touring the blueberries in production said he felt very motivated to see these fields flourish with a fruit like blueberry.

When did you start this project?

3 years ago we started it, we agreed with the time when we fell storm 19-E where we had great losses. Virtually right now we are reaping what was left.

Packing. The crop is selected for its caliber and is packed to be refrigerated. Photo: THE DEBATE

What motivated you to undertake it?

More than anything from experience we have. As we have only produced grains and day by day we have been seeing that there is practically no business and day by day we have been reducing and reducing it and we saw this window and we are betting on it, apart from that we are contributing here in the middle by giving it more I employ people, also improving their lives because that is a large number of jobs that we generate and we contribute to improving society in its economic aspect, since there are many more jobs that are required to develop this activity.

Three years away, was it worth the effort?

I think so because apart from that we are already paying off, although it lasts 5 years to amortize the investment but it motivates us because the truth is if we see a future apart from the accumulation of knowledge that we have acquired throughout the journey until we reach this moment.

Preparations. Pots that will be planted in the coming days, as an integral part of the production project that is maintained in this production area. Photo: THE DEBATE

We know of other projects of this type that are in other areas of the north of the state. What is the difference of these projects with this one?

This is what we know right now. We also have two other products that we could add to this, which is blackberry and raspberry, but right now what we want is to consolidate well in all this, to consolidate well in the blueberry theme and when we have mastered it perfectly, aspire to add one more product.

As for quality, how is the blueberry produced here?

The company with which we participate, the truth is that he mentioned us because the finished product we have is of excellent quality, both in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asian countries where this fruit goes. The quality has been certified to us as excellent, very good.

The crop management is done with the best technology. Photo: THE DEBATE

What are the advantages of this fruit? Because we know that it has many nutritional properties and antioxidant values

That is the truth because it is a fruit that has revolutionized because according to prestigious universities they have shown that this product helps you a lot in health matters, in cardiac issues, it helps you a lot in the circulation of blood and improve a lot the question of cancer and all that because of the antioxidant qualities it possesses that allows the cells to be completely healthy and have no cancer cell development.

How do they look in the next few years?

We want to grow 15 or 20 percent more. Our project was originally a larger area but, for the reasons we have already mentioned, part of the planting was affected and we need at least to recover those hectares; replanting them and bringing them to production. And from that moment analyze if we grow more or stay there.

Job. Inhabitants of the communities benefit from employment of the crop. Photo: THE DEBATE

Cranberry, a crop that brings many benefits 

Given the problems of low profitability that threaten traditional crops, such as corn and other grains, producers in the region are innovating and looking for new crop alternatives, such as blueberries.

The fruit offers enormous benefits, because apart from allowing a very important source of employment that impacts among the inhabitants of the different rural communities, it represents an alternative of planting with a future, since it is a product that has a high demand in different international markets, so its establishment will positively impact the entity's economy.

Crop management is taking care of all safety standards, which is a necessary factor to successfully participate in international markets. Photo: THE DEBATE

Cranberry, a fruit with multiple benefits for health prevention

It is difficult to think that a single fruit has so many properties and benefits for health, but the blueberry is considered a fruit that provides enormous nutritional properties to the body and because it is a powerful antioxidant, it delays the aging process of people, in addition to avoiding the appearance of certain ailments such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. It also keeps brain function in good condition.

The cranberry is attributed multiple benefits, to help the digestive system, strengthen the body's defenses, improve eyesight because of its high content of vitamin A, in addition to helping reduce cholesterol by being an antioxidant pterostilbeno.