Research and Transfer of Technology

Transcription

HONDURAN FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESERCH
ANNUAL REPORT
2003-2004
HONDURAN FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESERCH
Is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to agricultural research.
Its mission is the generation and transfer of technology, mainly for traditional and non-traditional export crops.
It provides services for the analysis of soil, water, plant tissue and pesticide residues as well as diagnoses of plant pests and diseases.
P.O. Box: 2067, San Pedro Sula, Cort s, Honduras, Central Am rica
Phones. PBX: (504) 668-2078, 668-2470; Fax: (504) 668-2313; e-mail: [email protected]
www.fhia.org.hn
DONANTES
Gobierno de Honduras
Secretaría de Agricultura y Ganadería - SAG
Common Fund for Commodities - CFC
Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional - USAID
Programa de Asesores Holandeses - DGIS / PAH
Agencia Japonesa de Cooperación Internacional - JICA
International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain - INIBAP
Oficina de Cooperación Canadiense
Unión Europea
Agencia Suiza de Cooperación Internacional - COSUDE
Organización Internacional de Maderas Tropicales de Japón- OIMT
FINTRAC
SYNGENTA
Programa
de Hortalizas
Programa de
Diversificación
Programa de Cacao
y Agroforestería
Programa de
Banano y Plátano
UNIDAD
TÉCNICA
• Economía y
Mercadeo
Agrícola
• Protección Vegetal
• Poscosecha
• Cultivo de Tejidos
DIRECCIÓN DE
INVESTIGACIÓN
2003/04
Organigrama
Servicios
Agrícolas
Laboratorio de
Análisis de
Residuos de
Plaguicidas
Laboratorio
Químico Agrícola
Gerencia de
Servicios
Biblioteca
Publicaciones
Capacitación
Gerencia de
Comunicaciones
DIRECCIÓN
GENERAL
CONSEJO DE
ADMINISTRACIÓN
ASAMBLEA
Cómputo
Mantenimiento
y Suministros
Contabilidad
Recursos
Humanos
Gerencia
Administrativa
AUDITORÍA
INTERNA
Sistema de
Información de
Mercados de
Productos
Agrícolas de
Honduras
ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface ..................................................................................................................................................................................5
Board of Directors 2003/04 .................................................................................................................................................8
Members...............................................................................................................................................................................9
RESEARCH AND TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY
Banana and Plantain Program ...............................................................................................................................................13
Cacao and Agroforestry Program.........................................................................................................................................19
Diversification Program ........................................................................................................................................................25
Vegetables Program ..............................................................................................................................................................29
FHIA in La Esperanza............................................................................................................................................................32
Postharvest Departament.....................................................................................................................................................35
Biotechnology Laboratory ....................................................................................................................................................37
Economics and Marketing Office .........................................................................................................................................41
SERVICES
Agricultural Chemical Laboratory.........................................................................................................................................43
Pesticide Residue Analysis Laboratory..................................................................................................................................45
Agricultural Services Unit .....................................................................................................................................................46
COMMUNICATIONS
Agricultural Communication Center ....................................................................................................................................49
CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION AND MARKETING
Center for Agricultural Information and Marketing .............................................................................................................56
ADMINISTRATION
Administration ......................................................................................................................................................................58
Technical and Administrative Staff ........................................................................................................................................62
H O N D U R A N F O U N D AT I O N F O R A G R I C U LT U R A L R E S E A R C H
Preface
uring 2003 FHIA slightly re-structured
their flavor and texture characteristics or due to
the enhanced nutritional characteristics. An
and consolidated its activities in order to
innovative method of crossbreeding called
reduce operating costs. Thanks to these
‘Top-Cross’ was established and has started to
changes the Foundation will be more able to
produce seeds from some of the materials that
resolve the challenges stemming from the low
are difficult to crossbreed manually. A collabointerest rates accrued presently by the
rative research and training program was initiatEndowment Fund. The Tissue Culture
ed this year with several research institutions in
Laboratory was merged into the Banana and
Brazil towards installing new methods of
Plantain Program, which is its primary user; the
molecular biology in order to make the
Pesticide Residue Analysis Laboratory was
improvement program more efficient and proabsorbed into the Agricultural Chemical
ductive.
Laboratory; Technical Services are now part of
Technical consultancy contracts were
the Agricultural Services Unit; the responsibiliundertaken in banana and plantain production
ties that used to be held by the Agronomy
in Honduras and internationally in Eritrea,
Department are now shared between the
Nicaragua and El Salvador. During this year a
Diversification Program and the Agricultural
total of 30 visiting groups were received in the
Mariano Jiménez Talavera
Chemical Laboratory; the Seed Program is
Experimental Demonstrative Center “Phil
Engineer
now involved only in research activities for rice
Rowe” (CEDPR), as well as a constant flow of
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock
cultivation, financed by the Modernization of
individuals interested in Program activities.
Technical Agricultural Services Project (PROFor the year 2004, the evaluations and field crossbreeding will
MOSTA) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG). Thus, continue with the improvement program for producing improved
although staff and operational costs have been reduced, FHIA contin- bananas, and plantains and bananas for cooking. Emphasis will be
ues to provide services.
made on improving selected hybrid varieties for disease resistance and
In an effort towards attracting additional funding sources for spe- production characteristics. At the same time, the new materials that
cific projects, during this year, a wide range of commercial, national show disease resistance and desired production characteristics will be
and international sources were approached, including: PROMOSTA- evaluated not only for traditional market characteristics, but that might
SAG, The European Union, the United States Agency for International be acceptable in diverse markets, for example: different flavors,
Development (USAID), SYNGENTA, the International Network for diverse shapes and sizes, and enhanced nutritional qualities.
the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP), FINTRAC, The
The molecular component of the Program will continue to be
Canadian Agency for International Development (CIDA), the Swiss developed with collaborators in Brazil and other countries. This will
Cooperation for International Development (COSUDE), the include new uses for ‘laboratory’ crossbreeding and germ-plasma
International Japanese Tropical Wood Organization (OIMT) and the manipulation such as cultivating anthers and protoplasm fusion, among
Commodities Common Fund (CFC). It is important to highlight the others.
projects in generation and transfer of technology financed by PROWorld prices of cacao during 2003 were maintained around
MOSTA, in cacao, rice, strawberry, banana, plantain, fruit and cold cli- US$1,500/mt but the Honduran situation continued to remain in crimate vegetables. All of these projects are continuing in 2004. Our sis due to losses attributed to the Moniliasis disease that was identified
goal is to achieve more products in the future in order to have a in the North Coast in the year 2000. Producers were not prepared
greater impact at the national level, continue to work in improving the for this disease and the cultural practices required for coexistence had
Honduran agricultural sector, and the standard of living of the farmers. not been routinely applied. One of the main efforts of the Cacao and
During the month of January a contract was signed with Chiquita Agro-forestry Program in 2003 was to execute a project with PROBrands for genetic improvement in banana and plantain.
MOSTA financing to control this disease through cultural practices, the
The Banana and Plantain Program continued to produce hybrid application of fungicides and resistant clones.
plants and initiated the evaluation of seeds and crossbreeding started
In general the Program continued with long term experiments
during prior years. New crossbreeding was done directed to improve designed to assist the industry through: 1) using non traditional shade
the organoleptic characteristics of FHIA stock diploids to improve timber trees, 2) evaluation germ-plasma for production and disease
post-harvest characteristics in bananas and plantains produced from resistance, and 3) economic impacts in cacao fertilization. In the
these materials. During the year, more than 20,000 bunches were Cacao Experimental and Demonstrative Center (CEDEC) and the
pollinated, which produced more than 100,000 seeds from which Humid Tropical Demonstrative Agro-forestry Center (CADETH)
32,000 embryos were taken. A careful selection of previously select- managed by the Program, research is continuing in agro-forest sysed hybrids produced interesting products with market potential due to tems, focused on fruit ad lumber trees, whether together with cacao,
D
RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
5
PREFACE
in pure plots, or as borders. In other activities, the implementation of
the “Plantation Certification in the Atlantic Coast of Honduras” continued, which prepared more than 400 Certificates of Plantations and
Usage, these covered an area of more than 1,000 ha. and 214 km in
borders, for an accumulated inventoried total of 591,651 plants.
Finally starting in April (2003) the “Protection and Sustainable
Development of Micro-watersheds, Tributaries of the Aguan River
Through Fostering Agro-forest Systems” was initiated, which will be
developed during two and a half years, in various micro-watershed of
the Tocoa and Taujica Rivers, in Tocoa, Colon.
Since its creation, the Diversification Program has concentrated its
efforts in promoting, researching and transferring technology in new
crops and during 2003 the greater emphasis has been in tropical roots
and tubers, black pepper and tropical and exotic fruit.
In order to eliminate some obstacles that have prevented diversification of crops in the Program development, during 2003, based
on the research planning activities of 2002, great emphasis was given
to producing both fruit and spice vegetative material. Some the plants
produced were: rambutan grafts, lichee and longan shoots, and seed
plants for durian, mangosteen, cinnamon and nutmeg.
In searching for alternatives for coffee growers affected by the fall
in coffee bean prices, the socio-economic and biophysical characterization of the coffee areas initiated in 2002 continued in 2003 to establish demonstrative plots with crops promoted by the Program. As a
result of these efforts, four plots of longan and lichee were established
in several areas of the country.
During this year rambutan finally began to be exported to the
United States market. FHIA collaborated in designing the packer, contacting buyers, identifying elite trees for a quality fruit harvest and in
the installation of the packer in the CEDEC grounds and the selection
of the fruits to be exported.
In vegetable production, there is a constant need for the
researchers and field technicians to constantly up-date regarding new
varieties and new technologies that from time to time appear in the
marketplace. This is the main work of the Vegetable Program; it was
the main thrust of the Program during 2003 and will continue to be
the focus during 2004. Even though the Program profile includes
other crops, the greatest field research is done in the basic basket
crops produced in the valley of Comayagua, consisting of onions,
tomatoes, and sweet, jalapeño and Tabasco peppers, with an evaluation of the varieties, and development of production technologies.
The new promising varieties of crops that were identified during field
trials in 2002 were validated during 2003 and will be tested in 2004
as far as their adaptability to seasons and location. This is done within
the Program vision of allowing the Honduran producers to produce
all year round using a combination of appropriate varieties, production
technologies such as drip irrigation during the dry season, floating covers against insects and the climate, and the use of tunnels and netted
houses for producing during the rainy season. In addition to vegetables for the basic basket, the Program is also trying cool climate crops
that can tolerate heat, such as cauliflower and lettuce.
The Program continues its work in supporting the export industry of oriental vegetables, specifically of various types of eggplant, bangaña, contemnor, the hairy cucumber and chives. Apart from the routine
but important work of perfecting production techniques, the Program
is making special effort in the areas of integrated pest management,
producing small piles, eggplant grafting on patterns resistant to nematodes and soil diseases stocks, and a characterization of open pollen
fertilization varieties in oriental vegetables.
The Program also continues to work in researching, validating and
extended protected agriculture, which is the future tendency in vegetable production. The appropriate varieties and technology for producing tomatoes and peppers in green houses in the Valley of
Comayagua have been intensified and are in the final stages of validation, even though the preliminary results were already given to the
producers. FHIA and its Vegetable Program recognize that protected
agriculture is the technology that is due to initiate in Central America
and we will strive to be at the forefront of these innovative technologies.
The Seed Program during 2003 is now being financed by PROMOSTA-SAG in a project that has as its objective to undertake
research and transfer of technology activities in rice crop in the area of
Tocoa, Colon. This project receives technical and administrative assistance from FHIA in its effort to determine: appropriate varieties, plant
protection programs, weed control programs, and programs that are
adequate to fertilization for the rice producers of the Atlantic Coast.
FHIA work with PROMOSTA financial support also continues in
the area of La Esperanza, Intibuca, concentrated in research and technological transfer for an efficient production of fruits and vegetables in
the Honduran highlands. During this year a production and marketing
enterprise was established with a group of associated partners.
Research and extension continued in a wide range of highland crops
to support these producers. The effort will continue in 2004 and it
seems to be heading to a rousing success with the creation of a profitable and stable production and marketing company, directed by the
producers.
The Department of Post-harvest has given its technical expertise
to the Banana and Plantain Program with a large revision and characterization of the post-harvest quality of hybrid bananas and plantains
that the Program is developing. This work will continue even more
extensively in 2004. The important work of defining the ripening protocols for the banana and plantain hybrids is almost constant. The
Department has provided and will continue to provide research
capacity, especially in the programs that work with spoilable products
such as fresh fruit and vegetables. To be continued the important work
of un-greening tomatoes with ethylene for the local market, in protocols for string Ana apples produced in La Esperanza, Intibuca, in the
best age for harvesting jalapeño peppers, in the adequate systems for
post-harvest handling for a Wide range of fruits and vegetables produced in the Honduran highlands, and for exotic fruit such as rambutan and longan, among others. There was a strong demand for technical assistance and training in fruit and vegetable post-harvest handling
in 2003 by NGO’s that operate in Honduras and it is expected that it
will continue to be so in 2004.
It is difficult to summarize the work of the Plant Protection
Department in any given year due to the great variety in experimentation and in searching for solutions for problems stemming from providing Pathology, Entomology and Nematology services to all FHIA
6
PREFACE
Programs and projects. During 2003 the Plant Protection Department
independently managed various special projects in evaluating and distributing banana and plantain hybrids and in export bananas. The
Department additionally provided consultancy and specialized
research in a wide range of pathogens and pests such as for: blind hen
in strawberries, rapid life decline in melons, cacao Moniliasis, nematodes and parasites in eggplants and many more. The Department
prepared the research in literature for three evaluations in pest risk
management needed to request permission for the export of tomatoes, peppers, and sweet potatoes, presently in quarantine, from
Honduras to the United States. This activity will continue in 2004.
Another Department in the Technical Unit that provides service
to a wide range of programs and projects is the Economy and
Marketing Office. This office played a key role in the successful export
of rambutan towards the United States, and has continued to build
capacity and connections to export Honduran products to the markets of the United States and Europe. This office maintains feasibility
studies for many crops in FHIA listings and of those that have coffee
diversification potential.
The Agricultural Communications Center on the other hand,
directed towards supporting technological transfer activities of FHIA,
developed a wide range of support activities, including the promotion
of services that are given to the national agricultural sector. Seven new
technical documents on different crops were published, as well as a total
of 13 information sheets, through which technicians and producers are
informed of some of the progress being made in research. In 2003 the
dissemination of research was intensified, with active participation in
the annual meeting of the Central American Cooperative Program of
Improvements in Crops and Animals (PCCMCA) where 28 research
papers were presented; additionally 5 technical-scientific meetings
were prepared in different places of the country, during which the
most relevant research results accomplished by the Foundation in
recent years was presented to a total of 531 participants.
A wide range of work was developed in the area of training with
a total of 36 events in which 594 people participated, receiving training in a wide variety of subjects related to the crops that the
Foundation promotes.
During 2004 broadcasting of the technical information generated
and validated by the Foundation will augment, by increasing the production and distribution of reports, bulletins, information sheets and
other technical publications. Additionally, there will be a greater electronic outreach of technical documents through Internet, both within
and outside the country. There are plans for holding 3 technical-scientific meetings in other areas of the country, for augmenting training
services and plans to initiate publication of a FHIA Technical Magazine
that will have information on relevant research results.
Dear members, this is the way that FHIA once again is carrying
out its planned activities. We expect to continue to work with enthusiasm in our country’s agricultural development.
Thank you very much
Mariano Jiménez Talavera
Engineer
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock
7
PREFACIO
Board of Directors 2003/2004
•PRESIDENTE
Ing. Mariano Jiménez Talavera
Ministro de Agricultura y Ganadería
•VOCAL I
Lic. Jorge Bueso Arias
Banco de Occidente, S.A.
•VOCAL II
Ing. René Laffite
Frutas Tropicales, S.A.
•VOCAL III
Ing. Sergio Solís
CAHSA
•VOCAL IV
Dr. Bruce Burdett
ALCON, S.A.
•VOCAL V
Ing. José Ayala
PROTEINA, S.A.
•VOCAL VI
Ing. Basilio Fuschich
Agroindustria Montecristo
•VOCAL VII
Sr. Norbert Bart
•VOCAL VIII
Ing. Yamal Yibrín
CADELGA, S.A.
•ASESOR
Ing. Roberto Villeda Toledo
•SECRETARIO
Dr. Adolfo Martínez
Dr. Adolfo Martínez
Dr. Dale T. Krigsvold
General Director
Director of Research
8
PREFACIO
Members of The Assembly 2003/04
Founding Members
Secretaría de Agricultura y Ganadería *
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Universidad Privada de San Pedro Sula
San Pedro Sula, Cortés
Organización de las Naciones Unidas
para la Agricultura y la Alimentación (FAO)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Centro Universitario Regional del Litoral Atlántico
(CURLA)
La Ceiba, Atlántida
Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo
Internacional (USAID)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Colegio de Ingenieros Agrónomos de Honduras
(CINAH)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Secretaría de Finanzas
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Colegio de Profesionales de las Ciencias Agrícolas
de Honduras (COLPROCAH)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Asociación Nacional de Exportadores
de Honduras (ANEXHON)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Lic. Jorge Bueso Arias
Santa Rosa de Copán, Copán
Instituto Nacional Agrario (INA)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Ing. Roberto Villeda Toledo
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Asociación Nacional
de Campesinos de Honduras (ANACH)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Ing. Yamal Yibrín
Unión Nacional de Campesinos (UNC)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Escuela Agrícola Panamericana (EAP)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Sr. Boris Goldstein (Q.D.D.G.)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Ing. Mario Nufio Gamero
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Centro Agronómico Tropical
de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE)
Turrialba, Costa Rica
Unión de Países Exportadores de Banano (UPEB)
Panamá, Panamá
* Miembro del Consejo de Administración
9
Members oF the Assembly 2003/04
Donor Members
Banco Continental S.A.
Banco FUTURO
Inversiones y Servicios CRESSIDA
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Banco Hondureño del Café (BANHCAFE)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Compañía Azucarera Hondureña, S.A. *
(CAHSA)
Búfalo, Cortés
Windward Islands Banana Growers
Association (WINBAN)
Castries, St. Lucía, Indias Occidentales
Lovable de Honduras
Programa Nacional de Banano Ortega
Quito, Ecuador
Alimentos Concentrados Nacionales, S.A. *
(ALCON)
Búfalo, Cortés
Organization of Eastern
Caribbean States (OECDS/ACDU)
Roseau, Dominica, Indias Occidentales
HONDULIT
Búfalo, Cortés
Grupo Bioquímico Mexicano (GBM)
Saltillo, México
Complejo Industrial
Caribbean Agricultural Research
& Development Institute (CARDI)
St. Augustine, Trinidad y Tobago
Molino Harinero Sula, S.A.
Banco del País
Banco Atlántida, S.A.
Agrícola Bananera Clementina, S.A.
Guayaquil, Ecuador
B.G.A.
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Prof. Camilo Rivera Girón (Q.D.D.G.)
Frutas Tropicales, S.A. *
Bayer de Honduras, S.A.
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Banco FICOHSA
Banco Mercantil, S.A.
Asociación de Bananeros de Urabá (AUGURA)
Medellín, Colombia
CAMOSA
FENORSA
Boquitas Fiestas, S.A. de C.V.
GRANEL, S.A.
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
CADELGA, S.A. *
Banco Centroamericano de Integración
Económica (BCIE)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Banco de Occidente, S.A. *
Santa Rosa de Copán, Copán
*
Tropitec, S. de R.L.
Miembros del Consejo de Administración
10
Members of the Assembly 2003/04
Contributing Members
Federación de Agroexportadores
de Honduras (FPX)
Guarumas Agroindustrial
Lic. Henry Fransen Jr.
AGRICENSA
Sr. Roberto Kattán Mendoza
El Progreso, Yoro
FECADH
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Sr. Norbert Bart *
CROPLIFE
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Compañía Azucarera Chumbagua
TRANSAGRO, S.A.
IHCAFE
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Industrias Molineras
Proteínas y Grasas, S.A. (PROGRASA)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
LEYDE, S.A.
Federación Nacional de Agricultores
y Ganaderos de Honduras
(FENAGH)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
MERCARIBE
Accesorios Eléctricos y Controles (ACEYCO)
CAYDESA
Productos, Tecnología y Nutrición
Animal, S.A. de C.V. (PROTEINA)
Agrico (Holanda)
LEHONSA
Federación de Cooperativas Agropecuarias
de la Reforma Agraria de Honduras
(FECORAH)
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Viveros Tropicales
Agro Verde
Industrias Sula
BAPROSA, S.A.
El Progreso, Yoro
Agroindustrial Montecristo *
El Progreso, Yoro
Inversiones Mejía
Comayagua, Comayagua
Fundación Finacoop
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Grupo Vanguardia, S. de R.L. de C.V.**
Honorary Members
Sr. Anthony Cauterucci
Washington, D.C.
Prof. Rodrigo Castillo Aguilar
Danlí, El Paraíso
Ing. Miguel Angel Bonilla
Lic. Jane Lagos de Martel
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
*
**
Miembros del Consejo de Administración
Socio a partir del año 2004
11
Research and Transfer of
Technology
12
B A N A N A A N D P L A N TA I N P R O G R A M
Banana and Plantain Program
he year 2003 was very dynamic and
This controversy that arose about the
full of opportunities starting in the
supposed end of banana production was
month of January, when the New
important for the FHIA Banana and Plantain
Scientist magazine in their volume 177, pubProgram, since it afforded another opportulished an article in which it stated a possible
nity at world level the value of having develdisappearance in 10 years time of the comoped musaceae hybrids resistant to pests
mercial production of bananas. This inforand diseases and recognition was also given
mation generated a lot of discussion and
of the benefits the world has obtained from
concern in the mass media, in the scientific
the distribution and use of FHIA hybrids.
community, among the producers and above
The search for new alternatives to satisall in the consumers.
fy the world market of musaceae has been
The reason for this prediction was
the main research goal of FHIA s Banana and
based on the susceptibility of the Cavendish
Plantain Program. Due to this in 2002 the
varieties to the Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.
FHIA-26 and SH-4001 hybrids were selectCubense (FOC) race 4 fungus, which is the
Juan Fernando Aguilar Morán, Ph.D. ed. During 2003 the organoleptic characteragent that causes the Panama disease, to the
istics of hybrids was observed and it was
Leader of Banana and Plantain Program
Mycosphaerella fijiensis (MF) fungus, the
verified that these new materials can be
agent that causes the black Sigatoka disease
placed in new markets. The result of these
and various nematodes. The susceptibility of
observations indicates that FHIA-26 has a
the Cavendish (Williams, Grand Nain, Valery and others) varieties new flavor and good texture. The SH-4001 hybrid has a high conare big problems for the banana industry, since these varieties, tent of Beta-carotene, precursor of vitamin A, and therefore can
represent 12% of the world production of bananas and almost be classified as nutraceatic type of healthy food.
100% of the types of bananas consumed as fresh fruit in North
Commercial producers are of the opinion that the commerAmerica and Europe.
cial production of FHIA-26 and SH-4001 is viable, since they will
World opinion calmed down when they were informed that have consumer acceptance. This comment indicated to us that
there are more than 500 varieties of bananas in the World; that developing special bananas and plantains with high productivity
global production of bananas and plantains is of approximately 100 and high resistance to pests and diseases will be one of our main
billion tons and there are genetic improvement programs of objectives in the next years.
banana and plantain such as FHIA, with 44 years experience,
which through conventional improvements has been able to
Applying new methodologies
develop banana and plantain hybrids that are resistant to the FOC
Starting in 1975 a significant increase was obtained in the perand MF fungus, that are viable alternatives to continue producing centage of embryonic germination through the technique of
musaceae in the world.
recovering embryos from ripe seeds (see Figure 1), and since then
Cuba at the commercial level is the country that is using more this methodology has been used routinely in our Program.
of the FHIA improved varieties in an area of 17,000 hectares. The Nevertheless, in order to overcome genetic incompatibility consecond largest use of FHIA hybrids has been Brazil, since in 1998, straints, work is being done in early recovery of embryos, which
black Sigatoka was reported in the North of that country. To date is the extraction of ovules 10 days after fertilization occurs (see
there are some 1,200 hectares of the FHIA-18 and SH3640 type figure 2), since at this stage the abortion of fertilized ovules has not
pome hybrids being cultivated there. The use of FHIA hybrids is taken place. By implementing this technique the production of
expected to increase as the black Sigatoka advances into the South hybrid seed from cross breeding will be tried for those that
East part of that country.
hybrids have not been able to be produced or to increase seed
Brazil is the third largest producer of musaceae, with a total production.
of 510,313 hectares under cultivation and an annual production
of 6,357,940 tons for domestic consumption. Eighty percent of
the Brazilian production is concentrated on the silk and pome
varieties.
T
13
Figure 1. Recovery of embryos of ripe seeds.
Figure 2. Early recovery of embryos 10 days after fertilization has taken place.
Increasing cross breeding plots
In order to be able to make the cross breeding programmed
in the 2003 Operative Plan, an area of 6 hectares was uprooted,
leveled, prepared and planted in the FHIA Dr. Phil Rowe
Experimental and Demonstrative Center (CEDPR) in La Lima,
Cortes, Honduras. The planting of 8,255 plants of 41 varieties the
majority of which were of the: Lowgate, Highgate, Prata Ana,
FHIA-25, 3648, 3386, 3450, 3697, FHIA-17, FHIA-23, AVP-67 and
Pisang Awak varieties.
Producing hybrid seeds in open pollenization plots
During 2002 the installation of 3 plots of top-cross crossbreeding were done in order to produce female hybrid seed with
good agronomical characteristics but that were low in the production of seeds. During the present year 4,238 freely pollinated
with diploids male bunches were harvested. The most outstanding result has been the production of the Dwarf French plantain,
this short stature variety in 10 years of work had only produced 2
hybrid plants.
2989, 3142 and C-IV and from these seeds 3, 5 and 1 hybrid
plants respectively have been obtained. In the same cross breeding done by hand on 441 bunches of pollinated Dwarf French with
improved diploids, only 40 seeds were obtained from which 3
hybrid plants have been produced.
Hybrid plant production
From January to December 2003, some 21,887 bunches were
pollinated. From these pollinated bunches 19,970 bunches were
harvested and peeled for seed extraction. Seed production was of
104,790. Hybrid plant production was of 14,858, of which 8,278
have already been transplanted to a final field to evaluate yield.
The remaining plants will be transplanted to a final field in 2004.
The most outstanding occurrence in this whole pollenization campaign has been the introduction of Cavendish variety genes in
FHIA improved diploid materials. In 2004, when field evaluation
of these materials is done, the progress made in the development
of Cavendish type of bananas for export can be verified.
In the three plots of open pollenization 68, 43 and 12 seeds
have been obtained from 254, 41 and 17 pollinated bunches with
14
Evaluation of new experimental hybrids
During 2003, in the CEDPR experimental field, 8,278 hybrid
segregated plants were planted. It is important to note that the
number of hybrids being field evaluated in 2003 was five times
greater than those planted in 2002, increasing thereby, the possibilities of finding new genetic materials. Table 1 shows the quantities of the different types of hybrids which started being evaluated in 2003. It can be noted that 67% of the hybrids being evaluated are diploids. Planting of these tests were done in a staged
fashion from April 24 up to the 27th of November. We do not
have yet any selected hybrids since the first tests planted are starting to flower, therefore in 2004 the evaluation of the first cycle of
production will be done.
Table 1. Types of hybrids that were planted
during 2003.
Hybrids
Quantity planted
Diploids
5505
Cooking
1216
Plantains
1127
Gros Michel
247
Prata
139
Pome
24
Specials
20
Total
8278
Preliminary results
The late Dr. Phil Rowe in 1996 obtained 3 plants from cross
breeding Lowgate x SH-3362. The progeny of this hybrid were
not selected as pre-commercial hybrids due to the bunch s low
yield and their susceptibility to black Sigatoka. In 2002, the three
tetraploid progenies were cross bred with improved diploids and
71 triploids were produced.
Figure 3. Low stature plants with good resistance to the black Sigatoka.
15
The segregation observed in 2003 was excellent, to the
degree that in the selection field 60% of the plants were of low
stature and had good resistance to the black Sigatoka (See figure
3) and 40% were of normal plant stature. This result gives a good
indication that a Gros Michel type hybrid can be obtained with a
stature similar to that of the Cavendish varieties, with good yields
and good resistance to diseases.
Program presentations
In the CEDPR 30 national and international visiting groups
were hosted, they were interested in knowing the activities and
progress of the Program in the genetic improvement of banana
and plantain. At the national level, Program presentations were
given in the FHIA technical-scientific workshops that took place in
the cities of Comayagua, Santa Rosa de Copan, Tegucigalpa,
Juticalpa and La Ceiba. At the international level FHIA program
presentations of genetic improvement in banana and plantain
were done in the following events:
•
II Latin American Meeting of Eco-technologies for
Sustainable Development, II Encontro Latino Americano dos
Centros de Ecotecnolog as para o Desenvolvimento
Sustentable , in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, May, 2003.
•
Genetic Resource Center (CENARGEN Portuguese acronym)
of the Pesquisa Agr cola, Agricultural Research, Brazilian
Company, Brasilia, Brazil. May, 2003.
•
National Mandioc and Fruit-culture Research Center Centro
Nacional de Pesquisa de Mandioca e Fruticultura (CNPMF
Portuguese acronym), EMBRAPA. Cruz das Almas, Bahia,
Brazil. May, 2003.
•
The 2nd. Meeting of the Promusa Breeders Group.
Coimbatore, India. June, 2003.
•
Chiquita Brands Company. Cincinnati, United States. July,
2003.
•
Dole Fresh Honduras. La Lima, Honduras. August, 2003.
•
IV Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Research and
Development Center for Plantain and Banana for Latin
America and the Caribbean (MUSALAC). Guayaquil,
Ecuador. August, 2003.
•
V Brazilian Symposium on Banana Cultivation. I Musa Gnome
Workshop, V Simposio Brasileiro sobre Bananincultura. I
Workshop do Genoma Musa . Paracatu, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
November, 2003.
FHIA/INIBAP Project
Since June of 2001, FHIA is executing a joint project with the
International Network of Banana and Plantain Improvement (INIBAP) from whom we have received the following contributions: $
75,000 in 2001, $ 75,000 in 2002 and $100,000 in 2003. The most
important part of this project is the creation of 20 hybrids, including French plantain, cooking banana and export banana for Latin
America, Africa, and Asia. After two and a half years of execution,
the following are the most important results:
•
Germ-plasma Bank Conservation: the Germ-plasma Bank
was re-located in a spot that is less vulnerable to flooding; of
the 85 entries that were lost before or after Hurricane
Mitch, 22 entries were recovered, and 35 new entries were
requested to the Internal Transit Center (ITC).
•
Germ-plasma Bank Characterization: in 2003 the taxonomic
characterization of 109 entries was made.
•
Improvement through hybridization: the production of 12
hybrid plants from the proposed 20 cross breeding in the
project, and since June of 2003 the field evaluation of 596
hybrid plants from 12 cross breeding have begun.
•
Use of molecular markers in musaceaes: from the 15th of
November to the 15th of December 2003 training in the use
of micro-satellites was done in the CENARGEN EMBRAPA,
Brasilia, Brazil. During training 47 recommended microsatellites for musaceaes were evaluated, from the 47 base
pairs, only the first 12 showed polymorphism in agarose gels
at 3.5% (figure 4). Having received this training the needs in
equipment and its cost were determined, procedures were
learnt, an operation cost of the technique were arrived at
and now a concise idea of what this methodology can contribute to our genetic improvement has been reached.
Figure 4. Evaluation of primers in agarose gel at 3.5% for maximization.
16
•
Caimito Farm was prepared, and a cash flow statement and
a cost/benefit analysis were done for the La Mesa Farm.
In September rehabilitation was extended to the La Mesa
Farm as Bank property.
Turnbull Agro Industrial consultancy
Separate from the BAMER consultancy, that includes this
farm, a consultancy was performed to evaluate the fito-toxicity in
the plantation.
•
•
Scope of the consultancy
Toxicity was found caused by the application of high dosages of
agricultural oil at the wrong time at the start of the dry season.
Certain affected areas were found to have bad drainage and
the plantation lacked a root system that was appropriate to
support a lack of water and at the same time a lack of
breathing capability due to the effect of the agricultural oil.
Figure 5. Widening the bands with the primer AGMI 24/25.
Figure 5 shows the poly-acrilamide gel with the Calcutta IV,
Pisang Awak, FHIA-26 and SH-3437 crops evaluated with the first
AGMI 24/25. This evaluation has allowed us to prove that the first
AGMI 24/25 continues to be the most useful in improving
musaceaes, since it is related to the level of ploidia and shows the
presence and quantity of B gnome in the varieties being evaluated.
Technological transfer
Consultancies and Technical Assistance
During 2003 six consultancies were done that were important
to FHIA, within which the IICA/EPAD/USAID in Nicaragua Project
was the greatest in duration and in funding for FHIA. On the other
hand, all the consultancies performed had an impact on the projects or entities that contracted them, since due to the results
obtained, they have all once again requested our services in 2004.
Following is a summary of the consultancies and technical assistance done in 2003:
Productive San Vicente Project
Lempa-Acahuapa, El Salvador, Irrigation District
This consultancy took place in October of 2003. The objective was to identify agronomical aspects where plantain producers
of the Lempa-Acahuapa Irrigation District, beneficiaries of the
Project needed more support. Additionally, the Project is committed and has the intention of technological transfer both to the producers and to the CENTA technicians and field experts of the
Ministry of Agriculture of El Salvador.
During the consultancy a training course was given, as well as
tour workshops in different producers plots. A detail of the subjects presented are the following:
•
Managing the rebirth and selection of production shoots.
•
Managing seed beds.
•
Pruning little bunches in young fruit.
BAMER consultancy in Honduras
The consultancy for BAMER in 2002 to evaluate the status of
the Caimito Farm then led to a permanent consultancy during
2003 entailing several monthly visits to five farms receiving
BAMER financing.
•
•
Scope of the consultancies
In June of 2003 both BAMER and the Tela Railroad Company
in separate agreements, contracted FHIA services to evaluate the Caimito Farm.
The BAMER contract was done for monthly consulting services from June to December.
•
Among the technical assistance activities, the rehabilitation of
the Caimito Farm, was initiated in July.
Field trip with San Vicente Productive Project producers,
•
In August a budget of investment and operations for the
Valley of the Lempa —Acahuapa River, El Salvador.
17
•
•
•
•
Irrigation and drainage.
Sigatoka control.
Fertilization.
Assistance on market Windows and construction of packers.
IICA/EPAD Project, Nicaragua
After the first evaluation and consultancy given in February,
the IICA/EPAD requested a monthly consultancy, therefore
another contract was signed in April for a monthly consultancy up
to September.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Scope of the consultancy
Designing and installing irrigation in four demonstrative plots
in Rivas and Chinandega, Nicaragua.
Planting demonstration plots with five varieties of plantain.
Three presentations on plantains (Chinandega, Rivas and
Jinotepe) in conferences directed to the program objectives
of the IICA/EPAD Project of Nicaragua.
Four training courses to producers of the Rivas and
Chinandega area.
Direct technical assistance to the producers.
Selection of the pilot producers/farms.
Project objective: promote value added agri-business with
emphasis on exports.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Market and quality Conditions
Local markets.
Asmara Capital city (population approximately 700,000).
Consuming 100% of banana produced.
The primary objective is to increase production and improve
infrastructure to supply other important cities.
Export Markets
Europe and the Middle East.
In the medium term the hope to improve quality and return
to exporting towards Europe entering Italy, Greece and
Turkey.
In the Middle East the markets are principally those of
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Eritrea is geographically better placed for these markets than
are Central America, Asia and other African countries.
A sea voyage takes 7 days to Italy, 5 days to Greece, Turkey
and Kuwait, and between 2-3 days to any port in Saudi Arabia.
Consultancy Scope
Training.
Two training courses.
Four field workshops to show producers and technical staff
improved crop practices and post harvest handling.
A study trip for Honduras with a group of Eritrean producers and Technicians.
Infrastructure
Construction of two packers, to process selected fruit in
boxes.
Construction of two refrigerated rooms to ripen bananas for
distribution in local markets.
Field workshop with plantain producers on the Island of
Ometepe, Nicaragua.
FAO Project, Eritrea
Mission and objectives of the project:
The mission was in conducting a technical evaluation of the
banana industry and conditions to produce quality fruit. The
Project objective was to support improvement of distribution to
local markets and potentially guide the industry towards export
markets.
Participants in the banana packing workshop at the
Adiomer Farm in the province of Gash-Borka, Eritrea.
18
Cacao and Agroforestry Program
D
uring 2003 the cacao bean price
remained relatively stable with the
price ranging between US$ 1,400 and $
1,750 per metric ton in the New York
Market, whereas the local per ton price
fluctuated between Lps. 24,200 and Lps.
28,600. Nationwide, the entire cacao sector
continued to go through a crisis due to the
Moniliasis disease (Moniliophthora roreri)
that spreads faster under conditions of farm
abandonment or deficient management.
furniture using lumber from black laurel
trees planted by the Program in the Cacao
Experimental and Demonstrative Center
(CEDEC), in La Masica, Atlantida, when it
was just starting work in the agro-forestry
field. These trees, harvested and evaluated
by the CUPROFOR Foundation, found their
physical characteristics related to drying and
handling prior to industrial wood processing,
to have yielded an average of 742 board
feet/tree, which leads to an approximate
total of 66,800 board feet/ha with a planting
Cacao production in
density of 90 trees/ha.
agro-forestry systems
A continuous priority of the Program is
The Program seeking alternatives that
the evaluation of agro-forestry systems built
Jesús Sánchez., M. Sc.
would be more profitable for producers,
on associating cacao with traditional and
Leader of Cacao and Agroforestry Program
mainly small holders with less than 5
non-traditional lumber species with industrihectares under cultivation, continues to
al lumber potential. Of a total of 33
evaluate production systems where cacao is the major component broadleaf species being evaluated, some 20 have been found to
within an agro-forestry system focus, that is to say, associated with have growth rates that make them attractive for using in associalumber species and tropical crops. This production model allows tion with this type of crop, within the conditions found along the
the producer to receive income from crops other than cacao in Atlantic coast in this country. mahogany, cedar, black laurel, the
the short and medium term, be they from temporary associated granadillo, the limba and the Juan guayape o, are some of the outcrops such as plantain and roots and tubers, among others, or in standing species that would increase producer s long term lumber
the long term from lumber harvesting and sales.
income, providing at the same time favorable conditions for
In 2003, the experience with some lumber systems associat- cacao, giving it the shade required for its adequate handling.
ed with cacao was strengthened, by producing excellent quality
Behavior of some forest species associated with cacao. CEDEC, La Masica, Atlantida, 2003.
Associated species
Cedar (Cedrela odorata)
Black laurel
(Cordia megalantha)
Black Laurel
(Cordia megalantha)
Mahogany
(Swietenia macrophylla)
San Juan guayape o
(Tabebuia donnell-smithii)
Red Granadillo
(Dalbergia glomerata)
Blue flower (Vites gaumeri)
Limba (Terminalia superba)
1Diameter at chest height
Age Trees per DCH1
(cm)
(years)
ha
AAI2
in DCH
Height
(m)
16
92
43.0
2.65
18.9
AAI
Height
(m)
1.15
16
92
48.0
2.95
23.2
1.40
318
29,256
9
75
27.7
3.05
14.5
1.60
68
5,038
9
92
19.2
1.90
12.9
1.30
24
2,208
8
62
34.3
4.20
16.6
2.00
120
7,440
8
8
6
92
92
67
17.4
20.1
32.8
2.15
2.45
5.40
12.4
10.7
15.5
1.48
1.28
2.50
22
26
122
2,024
2,419
8,174
2 Average annual increase
Vol.3
B.F./tree
208
19,136
3Volume in board feet
Vol.
B.F./ha
19
CACAO AND AGROFORESTRY PROGRAM
The red granadillo, the barba
de jolote and cacao sharing the
same agro-ecological requirements, are ideal species for
agro-forestry systems, within
the conditions found in the
Atlantic coast and on the
fringes of the low coffee areas
of the country.
16 years after the first agro-forestry field activities, the Program has strengthened its experiences harvesting the first
trees with which furniture that is widely accepted in the local market is being manufactured.
Controlling Cacao Moniliasis
Since its first appearance of moniliasis in the year 2000, cacao
production has decreased considerably at national level. The lack
of raw material has caused the only cacao industrial plant in
Honduras to be in a precarious situation; it is working at 22% of
its capacity, that of 5 thousand metric tons a year. FHIA, with the
financial backing of the Modernization of Technical Agricultural
Services Project (PROMOSTA), continues to look for alternatives
to control this disease. Timely handling practices, mainly pruning,
shade regulation and periodic picking of sick fruit (once and even
twice a week during the rainy season), continues to be the most
cost effective way of controlling the disease, within the strategy of
coexisting with the pathogenic. This control mechanism, affordable for the producers and compatible with environmental protection, has shown that 955 kg of dry cacao can be produced per
hectare, which is very profitable for producers of this crop.
Thanks to these results, some producers have recovered their
confidence and interest in this crop, and some are even planting
new, although in small scale, due to a lack of financial resources.
20
The cacao moniliasis, a disease that only attacks the fruit,
can cause the total loss of production in neglected or very
badly managed plantations.
Exchanging experiences among producers, taking advantage
of the demonstration plots for moniliasis control, has been a
determining factor in the process of technological transfer for
control of this disease.
The positive results generated by two years of work in the
field, are being transferred to producers interested in continuing
with this crop. Demonstrative plots have been set-up with some
of them, as an important tool in the task of technological transfer.
During this period efforts have been made to find genetic
material that tolerates this pathogenic, as part of integrated management. After two years of keeping records within natural inoc-
ulation conditions, some of these materials show low levels of
incidence of disease and good production, in contrast with others
that have a low production and a high prevalence of sick fruit. In
some cases, within the same crossbreeding some resistant and
susceptible trees are identified, and the propagation of resistant
tress then takes place by grafting and therefore will be available in
the medium term.
Outstanding materials in production and low incidence in moniliasis in the CEDEC, La Masica, Atlantida. Period March/02 —
December/03.
No. of harvested
fruit
Moniliasis
Healthy
% of
Moniliasis
Crossbreeding
Tree
No.
ARF-22 x UF-273
485
85
2
2
UF-712 x PA-169
377
78
2
2
ARF-22 x UF-273
204
46
0
0
PA-169 x ARF-6
95
46
4
1
UF-712 x PA-169
30
42
1
2
CC-137 x ARF-37
288
40
0
0
Materials with low production and high moniliasis incidence in
CEDEC, La Masica, Atlantida. Period March/02 — December/03.
Crossbreeding
Tree
No.
No. of harvested
fruit
% of
Moniliasis
Healthy
Moniliasis
15
37
71
7
35
83
ICS-95 x ARF-22
677
FCS-A2 x CCN-51
412-b
CC-137 x ARF-37
134
19
27
59
FCS-A2 x CCN-51
211
2
24
92
21
Evaluating fire-wood producing species
More than 8 million cubic meters of lumber are consumed
annually in Honduras as a source of energy (fire-wood), these
are extracted from conifers and from the remains of broadleaf
forests and guamiles, but there are no cases where the users
have been concerned about cultivating trees for this purpose.
This uncontrolled extraction is another way of affecting the forest resource and other resources closely linked to it, such as
water and biodiversity. Therefore, ever since the first CADETH
activities, the Project has been evaluating some broadleaf
species with a high potential for energy use, such as those of the
Inga genus (guama). After six years in which three cutting s have
taken place of some of the species being evaluated, the conclusion reached is that cultivating for fire-wood in the Atlantic
coastal conditions of the country, is more profitable than cultivating basic grains, therefore this is an alternative for many producers located on hillsides that are not too distant from com- The guajiniquil (Inga vera) shows great potential as an energy
munities and urban centers where there is a large demand for species in poor soil conditions with high rain-fall such as those
this resource, both for family as well as for industrial consump- of CADETH, La Masica, Atlantida.
tion (for example for bakeries and lime quarries).
Evaluation of fire-wood production, with different species, in CADETH, La Masica, Atlantida.
1st. Cut1 (2 years)
Specie
Guajiniquil (Inga vera)
2nd. Cut (4 years)
Load/ha
Income/ha
Load/ha
240
12,000
180
Income/ha
9,000
Carbon (Mimosa schomburgkii)
380
19,000
260
13,000
Black guama (Inga punctata)
460
23,000
78
3,900
3rd. Cut (6 years)
Load/ha
Income/ha
150
7,500
217
10,850
11 Load = 100 pieces of fire wood of 80 cm and weighing approximately 0.6 kg.
2 Sale price Lps. 50.00/load.
Hydrographical watershed protection and management
The maintenance and development of activities in CEDEC
and in the Humid Tropical Demonstrative Agro-forestry Center
(CADETH), continues to be the Program priority. Experience
gained during 16 years at these centers on forest management,
including certification of forest plantations, have strengthened the
Program, which presently has a leading role in developing projects
directed towards agro-forestry and water conservation, as well as
others of a general nature such as soil and biodiversity.
Seen from this perspective, in 2003 the Protection and
Sustainable Development of Micro-watersheds, Tributaries
of the Aguan River Through Fostering Agro-forestry
Systems initiated, financed by the European Union for a 30
month period. The Project area of influence includes 10 micro
watersheds of the Tocoa and Taujica rivers that are Aguan River
tributaries. Directed towards 350 families mainly involved in subsistence farming, living on hill-side terrain, based on the slash and
burn practice for basic grain planting in small areas and extensive
cattle raising.
Through a highly participative process, and with the participation of personnel from the Tocoa Municipality and other community leaders, the Project was made known, this in turn, has resulted in the communities organizing themselves into committees,
water and energy boards, among others, who are all supporting
activity development.
Liaison producers, both men and women, selected by the
communities themselves because of their leadership qualities,
received intensive training in different subjects (15 modules), as a
prerequisite in search of a multiplying effect by means of producer to producer training and technical transfer. The training of producers involved in their own communities and in CEDEC and
CADETH facilities is a Project priority, as well as technical assistance and supplying propagation materials to establish commercial
plots (agro-forestry and forestry), in the participating farms of the
producers of both genders. Additionally, as an incentive directed
to micro watershed protection, advice and economic support is
given to install 6 micro-turbines to generate electricity in the same
number of communities.
22
As complimentary activities to natural
resource protection of the micro watersheds, the
Project is supporting the communities with advice
and materials for installing latrines, chicken coops,
pens for breeding pigs, water catchments and the
construction of fire-wood saving stoves.
Socialization among inhabitants of the area
and the community leaders, including other
projects in the area, is the best guarantee for
Project goal achievement.
Transporting plants from the farm or plot site
established, involves great effort and time by
the producers and support technicians involved in this activity.
Training men and women, within the model of hands-on learning is a
Project priority.
Neighbours from benefited communities participate enthusiastically in
installing the micro-hydro turbines. Tocoa, Colon, 2003.
23
The Project also supports communities in setting the
boundaries of the micro water-shed and in the process
needed for the Declaration of Protection process, with
State entities involved in these functions.
Another support for participating communities is setting the
boundaries of micro watersheds, implementing management plans and the administrative procedures with the
authorities for their Declaration of Protection .
Forest plantation certification
With the support of the Canadian Government, the process
of Certifying Forest Plantations continued during 2003, under the
agreement with the State Forestry Administration-Honduran
Forestry Development Corporation (AFE-COHDEFOR), begun
in 2002.
During 2003, 313 forestry or agro-forestry plots were certified covering an area of 1,223 ha and 272 km in boundaries, for a
total of 548,852 trees, planted mainly by small producers and cattlemen. This project, which is a ground-breaker in the country,
has caused great interest, and many farmers and cattlemen have
become interested in taking care of their plots (pure or associated) or in starting new plantations of lumber species, as they feel
sure of the eventual benefits of this activity.
The lack of incentives for investment in the forestry field and
above all, the lack of security for investments because of non
existing legal documents to guarantee the use of the products
obtained, has become a large obstacle and a limiting factor for reforestation initiatives, whether they are
small or medium producers, as well as
some entrepreneurs interested in this
topic. On the contrary, the security of
knowing that in the long term they can
benefit from this activity becomes the
principal incentive to start actions in this
field.
A total (2002-2003) of 432 dossiers
were prepared covering an area of 1,504
hectares and 342 km for a total of
655,852 plants with traditional species
(mainly mahogany and cedar) and nontraditional ones that have industrial lumber potential.
Women demonstrated their leadership in the countries silviculture activities. Ing. Gustavo Morales, Manager of AFECOHDEFOR, hands a certificate to a silvicultureress.
Mahogany and cedar,
in spite of the damage
caused by the moth
larvae
(Hypsiphyla
grandella), continue to
be the species preferred among producers and cattlemen to establish
plots of a single species, in association
with other species or
as borders.
24
Diversification Program
T
he Diversification Program has as its
main objective creating and transferring
technology for domestic, regional and international markets for non-traditional crops.
With this focus in mind, during 2003 the
Program focused on the following activities:
one of them; however, independently of the
position of the stalk at planting, this is also
influenced by soil, climate, variety and other
factors. In order to determine what effect
the position of the stalk at planting has over
the yield, an experiment was done in which
three different treatments were evaluated:
1. Characterization of some coffee
inclined planting, vertical planting and horiregions established at more than 1,000
zontal planting.
meters above sea level, in which
Results indicated that there were no sigdemonstrative plots were established
nificant differences between the three study
with fruit varieties such as: Lychee
positions in yields for export yucca.
(Litchi chinensis), Longan (Dimocarpus
Nevertheless, it was observed that in
longana) and highland avocado (Persea
inclined planting there was a larger percentnubigena var. guatemalensis L), in order
age of roots with export characteristics with
to promote crop diversification.
no physical damage (6.38 t/ha), compared to
José Alfonso, Ing.
2. FHIA participated actively by presentthe horizontal planting that produced the
Leader of Diversification Program
ing the results of research at the annulargest amount of broken roots and damal Central American Cooperative
aged peduncles (5.48 t/ha). Due to the
Program of Improvements in Crops and Animals (PCCMCA) above, and even though the results do not show significant differand in the FHIA Technical Meetings, that took place in the ences, if the product destination is exporting, inclined planting is
cities of Comayagua, Santa Rosa de Copan, Tegucigalpa, recommended and for industrial purposes, any of the three methJuticalpa and La Ceiba.
ods evaluated.
3. Work was done on small scale production of Malaysian yellow dwarf coconut, which is resistant to lethal yellowing Table 1. Exportable weight of the yucca harvest.
(85%), to contribute in replanting some of the beaches in the
Number
Weight average
Treatment
North Coast, where that disease has almost entirely wiped
ofTreatments
in t/ha
out native and cultivated coconuts of that area. The mother
6.38 a
Inclined planting
1
nursery for FHIA production of coconuts has started its stage
Vertical planting
6.12 a
2
of nut production, which has the capacity of producing
Horizontal planting
approximately some 100,000 nuts per year.
5.48 a
3
4. The export activities for rambutan were supported from the
C.V.=13.60%
area of La Masica, Atlantida, after the Agriculture
Department of the United States authorized the entry of this
tropical fruit.
The effects of three types of seed in the yield and quality
5. Some research was done on roots and tubers and technical
of Eddoe malanga
assistance was provided to some producers that are involved
(Colocasia esculenta var. Antiquorum)
in the crops that the Program promotes.
During the Eddoe malanga harvest a great number of tubers
do not reach export size and were rejected. In some cases, some
Tropical roots and tubers
producers use them for planting for the next harvest. In order to
During 2003 some experiments were established in tropical evaluate the effect of this type of seed on the quality of the malanroot and tuber crops, especially in yucca and Eddoe malanga. ga produced, experimental plots were established in which the
Following is a summary of the most important results obtained in seed material used were the main tuber, the tubers called sisters
the different experiments.
and those that were rejected for export. The results obtained
indicate that it is not adequate to use export rejected tubers of
Effect of the position of the stalk on the yield and quality
Eddoe malanga, since only a low percentage (11%0 of first class
of yucca (Manihot esculenta) Valencia variety
tubers are produced, in comparison with 28 and 26% produced
Producers have different ideas on the manner of planting the by the main tuber and the sister sections respectively.
vegetation material (stalk) according to the experience of each
25
D I V E R S I F I C AT I O N P R O G R A M
Survey done to the black pepper producers located in: La Ceiba and Tela in
the Department of Atlantida and Yojoa
in Cortes.
In order to know the present situation of
the black pepper item in the main producing
areas, during 2003 a survey was made, of
which the most relevant data is shown below:
Hermana
Sección
Figure 1. Types of Eddoe malanga seed.
Cultivating ginger
During 2003 some 24.5 hectares of ginger were planted in
the area of Combas, Department of Yoro, distributed among
20-25 farmers, achieving exports of some 17 containers of 700
boxes each of very good quality rhizomes to the United States.
The average price per box at the packing site was of Lps.
120.00. The challenge is that this successful experience should
be repeated in other areas of the country, since there is a market for 50-100 containers per year that could be accessed by
the Honduran producers.
Black pepper cultivation
The pepper sector of Honduras is made up of some 40 producers with plantations distributed in four areas (La Ceiba and
Tela in the Department of Atlantida, and Yojoa and Merendon in
the Department of Cortes). There are at present some 90 ha. of
black pepper of which 70% are producing. The product is marketed locally and in this process 800 families are directly benefited in the four areas mentioned above.
In 2003 black pepper producers under contact were assisted
in the area of Lake Yojoa, as is explained in the following detail:
a) Tencoa, located in the Bartolo Hamlet, Santa Cruz de Yojoa.
b) Anaeliut, located in the Santa Elena Hamlet, Santa Cruz de
Yojoa.
c) El Tigre, located in the El Tigre Hamlet, Pe a Blanca, Santa
Cruz de Yojoa.
d) Las Delicias, located in the Las Delicias Hamlet, Merendon,
San Pedro Sula.
The technical assistance activities and technological transfer
recommended for the four farms emphasized planting stakes,
pruning to shape, selection of propagation material, harvesting
and milling.
Cormelo
Table 2. Area cultivated by the surveyed producers
in the three regions.
Tela
La Ceiba
Yojoa
Factors
(7)
(8)
(6)
9.1
18.2
19.43
Total area (ha)
% of new area
88.46
57.70
58.55
(2000-2003)
% of old area
41.45
11.54
42.30
(1989-1999)
( ) Number of producers surveyed by area.
Table 3. Crop handling practices.
Yojoa
Handling
practices
La Ceiba
Tela
Fertilization (%)
Pruning (%)
Irrigation (%)
85.71
100
75
57.14
100
87.5
28.57
66
37.5
100 M
25 Q
14.29 Q
Weed control
(%)
75 M
85.71 M
Shade regulating
(%)
85.71
100
87.5
Registers (%)
85.71
66.66
75.00
Q=Chemical
M=Manual
The results indicate that the producers of the Tela, Atlantida
area, are those that are best managing their plantations, even
though they have to improve their irrigation supply and in the
management of accounting and production registers
26
Sub tropical fruit
Characterization of two longan plants Haew var.
Continuing with the work of characterizing available longan
crop varieties, the production of two trees of the Haew variety
was evaluated, the only plants in three longan varieties in the
FHIA farm that have fruit; following is the data:
Table 4. Number of fruit per pound of the Haew variety of
longan.
Tree
number
Number
of fruits
Brix Degrees (%)
(Average in 30 fruits)
1
42
19.57
2
68
21.15
The number 1 tree is of first harvest, on the other hand
number 2 is in its third harvest.
Table 5. Weight in grams of bunch, fruits and branches
with fruit of two longan plants. Haew var. (average of 8 bunches evaluated per plant).
Factor evaluated
Tree number 1
Taking data on longan fruit.
Establishing of five demonstrative
plots of subtropical fruit.
In the area of Siguatepeque two demonstrative plots of lychee
and longan were established in the following farms:
1. Beula Ranch in the El Achiote Hamlet, Siguatepeque,
Comayagua. In this farm 70 lychee stakes were planted and
50 stakes of longan.
Tree number 2
Weight of bunch (g)
702
317
Number of fruit
per bunch
69
39
Weight of fruit
without branch (g)
24.2
9.0
Weight of branch (g)
56
64
2. Rittenhouse Farm, located in Siguatepeque, Comayagua.
Some 25 lychees (20 of the Kwai Mai Red variety and 5 Wai
Chee) and 30 longan (20 of the Haew variety and 10 Kohala)
Litchi
Longan
3. In the area of Lake Yojoa, in the community of San Buena
Ventura, Cortes, another plot was established of 30 longan
plants and 30 lychee plants.
Longan bunches in the tree.
4. In the area of Lake Yojoa, in the community of San Buena
Ventura, Cortes, another plot was established of 30 longan
plants and 30 lychee plants.in the communities of Agua Fria,
Municipality of San Sebastian, Lempira, and in the San Antonio
Hamlet, Municipality of Colohete in the same Department,
two demonstrative plots were established with the support of
a non-governmental organization with its headquarters in
Gracias , Lempira. In these two communities a total of 26
plants were planted, 13 longan plants and 13 lychee plants.
27
Highland avocado
According to data from a national importer, Honduras has
imported from Mexico in some years between 9 and 10 million
dollars of avocado fruits. Our country possesses highland areas in
La Paz and Intibuca, as well as in Merendon, Cortes, with a climate that is suitable for this crop to be established. Presently
there is interest in public and private organizations to foster the
cultivation in some areas, especially in coffee growing areas, as a
diversification alternative and import substitution. Based on the
above information, it is estimated that in order to supply domestic demand it is necessary to plant some 1,500 ha. The necessary
contacts have been made to import the material needed and
areas have been located to set up demonstrative plots.
Tropical fruit
Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum)
Motivated by the possibilities of exporting to the US market,
many rambutan producers are requesting plants of the varieties
imported by FHIA from Australia and Hawaii, to have a larger volume of production and to have fruit of the quality required by the
North American market.
In order to increase the production of grafted plants of the
varieties requested, FHIA has installed a section in the nurseries
established in the Cacao Experimental and Demonstrative Center
(CEDEC), in La Masica, Atlantida, a plastic cover to protect the
grafts from the rain, and thereby increasing considerable the production of grafted plants during all the year.
Hass avocado graft.
Fuerte avocado graft.
28
Vegetable Program
T
he Vegetable Program is dedicated to
generating, validating and transferring
technology in warm climate vegetable
crops. It is based in the Comayagua Valley,
where for several years there has been a
greater production of vegetables for the
domestic and export markets. The crops on
which a greater emphasis was placed were
onions, tomatoes, sweet and jalape o peppers and Chinese vegetables, mainly eggplant and banga a, though some research
was done on other diversification crops
such as Chinese melon, and warm climate
lettuce and cauliflower.
This year s research was directed to the
areas of nutrition, irrigation, sowing systems, and protected vegetable production
in green houses, tunnels and validating new
varieties.
Denis Ramírez, Ph.D.
Leader of Vegetable Program
The effect of four levels of nitrogen fertilization
in the yields and quality of Jaguar cv onions
Nitrogen is an element that promotes greater growth in
onions and together with potassium improves bulb qualities.
Studies conducted, and recommendations from other countries
have determined that onions require between 100-200 kg. of
nitrogen per hectare in conventional gravity irrigation systems.
However, due to the efficiency of fertigation in drip irrigation,
smaller quantities are recommended.
Response curve to the applications of nitrogen in onions.
Response curve to the applications
of nitrogen in onions
In order to determine the effect of
nitrogen in the growth and quality of the
Jaguar cv onion, four level of fertilization
were evaluated, 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg of
nitrogen/ha, applied in the drip irrigation system, plus a general basic application of 30
kg/ha.
The 70 kg/ha (40 kg in drips + 30 kg/ha
in basic application) application of nitrogen
resulted in a 14% increase in the commercial yields on the lower level of 30 kg/ha of
Basic application. The higher levels increased
the size of the bulb, but not the commercial
yield. This is important for export to the
United States that only requires large sizes.
The effect of three irrigation frequencies in the yield and quality of the
Mercedez cv onion
Onion crops have a superficial root system that is very sensitive to water level fluctuations in the soil and therefore, the quality and yields are affected when there are changes in the frequency of irrigation.
In order to evaluate the effect of water availability in the soil
on the yield and quality of the Mercedez cv onion type, an experiment with three daily irrigation frequencies, and twice a week in
loamy to loamy-clay soil.
Commercial yields were significantly
higher in the daily frequencies (7%) and
that of three per week (6%), compared to
the twice a week frequency. These differences were because in these treatments a
larger production of larger bulbs (first >
3.0 and second = 2.5-3.0 diameter) and
a lower yield of smaller bulbs was
obtained.
This is important for export markets
that require a larger bulb size.
29
V E G E TA B L E P R O G R A M
Table 1. Increase in the commercial yields of the Mercedez cv onion due to the
effect of the frequency of irrigation, CEDEH, Comayagua.
Irrigation Frequency
Percentage of increase in bulb size
Comercial >2.5”
>3.0”
>3.5”
Daily
Three times a week
7.7
11.8
30.3
6.3
10.0
27.4
Twice a week
0.0
0.0
0.0
The effects of applying molasses, bocashi tea and Biocat 15
in the yields and quality of the Mitla cv Jalape o pepper
Application of organic corrections in agricultural production is
quite widespread in the Valley of Comayagua. Cane molasses are
being used in vegetable cultivation because of their nematocide
effect and as a microbe activator in the soil. Additionally it helps in
the washing of the drip irrigation lines. The organic teas on the
other hand, such as the bocashi tea contain macro and micro elements, bacteria, fungus and other micro-organisms that are antagonistic to the pathogenic micro-organisms.
Biocat 15 is an organic-biologic fertilizer that according to the
manufacturer contains 67% of organic materials, 15% of humus
and fluvic acids, and micro-elements.
The individual and combined effect of molasses (20
liters/ha/week), bocashi tea (100 liters twice a week/ha) and
Biocat 15 (50 liters/ha) on yields and quality of Mitla cv Jalape o
pepper were evaluated.
The bocashi tea increased commercial yields by 10% but
there was o positive reply to the remainder of the treatments.
This is a practice that can very well be implemented by the producers and that will possible result in long range benefits.
The effect of six levels of nitrogen on the yields of the
banga a (Lagenaria siceraria) crop
The banga a produces an excessive vegetative growth, which
constitutes a restraint in pest control. Therefore, periodic work
has to be done in cutting leaves and vines to allow pesticides to
penetrate to the places where they are located.
Nitrogen is the element that most influences vegetative
development and specifically in the size of the leaves, for that reason, the effect of six levels of nitrogen were evaluated, 0, 50, 100,
150, 200 and 250 kg/ha, applied in fertigation, in the yields and
vegetative development of banga a.
The yields that were obtained were high (43.7 to 46.1 t/ha)
and the variability levels of the experiment were low (9.15%).
There was no result in yield or plant growth as a result of the
nitrogen dosages. The lack of a reply was due possibly to the fact
that the terrain had received a base application that resulted in 50
kg of nitrogen/ha.
These results suggest that under the
present condition of fertilization of these
soils (1.95% of organic material) the base
application of 50 kg/ha nitrogen is sufficient
to raise an acceptable harvest. Small yield
increments could be obtained with applying additional nitrogen.
Banga a with an adequate vegetative development
The effect of Surround (kaolin) in the yields and in fruit
damaged by sunburn in Chinese melon, Century cv
Stress in the plants caused by sun radiation during the hottest
hours of the day is a constraint in the Chinese melon yields.
Additionally, the fruits are damaged directly which severely
reduce commercial fruit.
In order to reduce the effect of direct solar radiation on
Chinese melon, Surround was evaluated, this is a commercial
product based on a kaolinitic clay. The treatments were: 1) applications only to the leaves (four applications in the vegetative
stage), 2) only applied to the fruit (three applications), 3) applications to the leaves and the fruit (seven applications) and, 4) control: covering the fruits with straw.
The treatment results were greater commercial yields in the
seven applications made to leaves and fruit, which produced 22.2
t/ha, at 6.8 t above the control which produced 15.4 t/ha. In second place in yield was from the application made only on the
leaves in the vegetative phase, that produced yields of more than
3.9 t/ha than the control.
30
V E G E TA B L E P R O G R A M R E FA C I O
These results suggest that the application of Surround on the
leaves produces an anti-stressing action in the plant. Treatment
made only on the fruits produced commercial yields similar to
those of the control. It was also noted that greater commercial
yields were also related to greater total yields and to greater
amounts of fruits.
Evaluating chemical and biological insecticides in trips
(Thrips tabaci) control, in the Texas
Grain 438 cv onion crops.
Experiments performed by FHIA demonstrate that trips is
the onion pest that has the highest effect on reducing yields of this
crop. In order to find effective alternatives to control this pest, an
experiment was performed in order to evaluate the efficacy of
three chemical insecticides, a biologic based insecticide, a vegetable extract that is a repellent and an anti-stressing with insecticide action in trips (Thrips tabaci) in onion crops.
The treatments with Vydate L and Abakob 20 were those
that effectively controlled trips population, maintaining them
below the critical levels of 0.75 trips/leaf. Additionally, these
treatments occurred where the highest commercial yields were
reported, 17.6 t/ha and 16.0 t/ha, respectively, compared to the
control that produced only 9.2 t/ha.
A partial analysis of cost results in that the use of these products represents a considerable increase in income which justifies
its use in comparison to the other treatments.
View of different treatments with applications of surround.
31
FHIA in La Esperanza
D
uring 2003, FHIA continued to undertake research and technology transfer
activities en the area of La Esperanza,
Intibuca, where for more than 12 years it
has provid ed these services to small and
medium producers that are involved in temperate climate vegetable and fruit production for the domestic market.
The work done in 2003 was made possible
by financing received from the
Modernization of Technical Agricultural
Services Project (PROMOSTA) of the
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG),
through a mutual agreement contract with
FHIA and benefited producers. Following
are some of the most relevant results
occurred during the indicated year.
Antonio Romero, Ing.
Leader FHIA La Esperanza
Improving productivity of
cold climate vegetables project
The objective of this Project is to increase the productivity,
competitivity and the quality of 22 different cold climate vegetables, produced through a technology transfer system that has
been developed, validated and adapted to the conditions prevalent with those producers with products directed to the domestic market.
This Project influences 14 communities in the Department of
Intibuca (El Pelon, Los Encinos, Mixcure Centro, Planes Mixcure,
El Naranjo Mixcure, Zacate Blanco, El Membrillo, Azacualpa
Yamaranguila, Azacualpa Centro, Santa Catarina, Yamaranguila,
Copantillo, Nuevo Tabor and Maracia) and
two communities in the Department of La
Paz (Opatoro y Corintio), where 22 different types of cold climate vegetables are
supported, in an area of approximately 45
hectares.
In order to achieve the proposed
objective, technical assistance is offered
through direct visits to organized groups,
courses, seminars, field trips, trade missions
and in establishing demonstration plots,
where the results of research activities are
being validated.
During 2003 support was given to 149
small producers, of which 67 are members
of the Intibuca Producers of Vegetables and
Fruits Association (APRHOFI), which was
formed so that their members not only be
involved in the production but also in mar-
keting their products.
Of these producers, 90% are lenca indigenous people, of
which 30% are women. The average area cultivated by each one
during the year is of 7,000 square meters, and 75% of these have
irrigation. Besides the training activities, 1,020 direct farm visits
were carried out to give technical recommendations in managing
vegetables crops. Additionally 11 Vegetable Demonstrative Plots
were established where 111 producers were trained during 11
field days.
Table 1. Training events that took place during 2003.
Subject Area
Production
technology
No. of events
Training Events
Trained
Producers
2
Short course on cold climate vegetable production
47
Organization
1
2
4
1
1
16
32
62
31
28
Marketing
1
Short course on potato production
Organic agriculture course
Seminar on post harvest handling of vegetables
Short course on the use and handling of pesticides
Seminar on the importance of producers getting organized
for agricultural development
Short course of market strategies for fresh vegetable
producers
Total
20
236
12
32
FHIA IN LA ESPERANZA
bunches of the different vegetables produced, for a total value of
Lps. 754,538. These vegetables have been distributed in San
Pedro Sula supermarkets and markets through the marketing
company of the Intibuca Producers of Vegetables and Fruits
Association (APRHOFI), which began operations in 2003 with the
financial support of the European Union within the framework of
the Marketing and Transformation of Agricultural Products
Support Project (PROACTA).
Producers have been actively involved in the different
training events that took place.
In order for the producers to get to know the quality requirements of the markets and supermarkets of the city of San Pedro
Sula, Cortes, five Marketing Trips were done to get the required
information, which was fundamental to the APRHOFI producers
to obtain to adequately satisfy their clients requirements.
An important aspect to highlight is that gradually the number
of producers that have accounting registers and production
records of their particular farms is increasing. Additionally, in
order to sustain the production process and in the conservation of
natural resources, 1,240 lineal meters of live barriers have been
established as well as the construction of individual terraces in 2.1
hectares for planting cold climate vegetables.
En the period between October and December of 2003, producers were able to sell 176,159 pounds, 28,539 units and 28,808
Technology transfer project for highland fruit
This Project was also executed starting in March of 2003 with
the financial support of PROMOSTA, through a special contract
that will last for two years. The general objective of this Project is
to promote agricultural diversification in the highlands of the
country, introducing and distributing quality fruit trees in order to
develop a technical and diversified fruit production that would also
include the high coffee growing areas.
Project area of influence includes 15 communities of 3
Departments. In Intibuca it includes the communities of La
Esperanza, Intibuca, Masaguara, Otoro, San Juan and San
Miguelito; in the Department of Lempira, San Andres, Gualcinse
and Piraera; and, in the Department of La Paz the communities of
Marcala, Yarula, Santa Elena, Santa Ana, Opatoro and Guajiquiro.
In all these communities the following five fruits are promoted and
developed: apples, peaches, Hass avocado, quince and pears, by
order of importance respectively.
In order to achieve the proposed, objective five working areas
were selected and 20 leading fruit producers (four per area), to
which technical assistance is given as a group, training through
courses, field day, seminars, marketing guidelines and setting-up of
demonstrative plots.
Table 2. Training events that took place during 2003.
Subject Area
Production
technology
Farm
management
Marketing
Total
No. of
events
Training events
6
4
3
1
1
3
4
3
1
Short course on apple production
Short course on peach production
Short course on Hass avocado production
Short course on quince production
Short course on pear production
Short course on harvest indexes in apples and peaches
Field days in apple cultivation
Field days in peach cultivation
Short course on farm management
1
Short course on marketing and standards
27
Trained
producers
157
115
93
20
20
63
96
82
20
13
679
33
FHIA IN LA ESPERANZA
Additionally during 2003 support was given to 248 small producers mainly in 3 crops (apples, peaches and avocado), significantly surpassing the group goal that had been established which
was of 160 small producers. The average planting area by producer is of approximately 600 square meters, and 80% of the producers have drip irrigation systems and the remainder irrigation
by gravity.
A very useful strategy to attain the 2003 proposed objectives
was in forming strategic alliances with similar institutions that
operate in the area, among which the main ones are the American
Commission of Foreign Remittances (CARE), The National
Professional Training Institute (INFOP), Area Development
Project (PDA) of Yamaranguila, the Sustainable Agriculture
Training Center of Yamaranguila (CEASY) and the Sustainable
Development Companies SETAS and FACILITA.
Direct producing farm visits were made, as is indicated in
Table 3. During these visits assistance was given mainly in the area
of plantation location, excavating holes, transplantation, budding
pruning, formative pruning, fito-sanitary control with environmental friendly products and the adequate use of water for irrigation. It is important to note that together with CARE, 150 small
drip irrigation projects have been established, mainly for apple
cultivation in the three Departments. Also 4 demonstrative plots
for apple, Hass avocado, peach and pear were established, in
which field day and other training activities take place.
In the last quarter of 2003, a total of 80 producers have established accounting and production registers in their own farms,
which contributes to an improvement in the efficiency and profitability of them. At the end of that year the new production areas
established are the following: apple 14.7 hectares, peaches 6.8
hectares, Hass avocado 0.80 hectares and 0.16 hectares of pear.
Through this project some new publications have been prepared
and some already published have been re-printed, as is indicated
in Table 4.
Table 3. Direct farm visits in 2003.
Fruit
Technical visits
211
Apple
84
Peach
32
Avocado
327
Total
Producers have implemented drip irrigation systems for a
more efficient use of water.
Table 4. Publications distributed among the producers.
Publication
GTechnical guide-lines for Hass avocado cultivation in Honduras.
Technical guide-lines for quince cultivation.
Technical Sheet on cultivating Hass avocado.
Technical Sheet on cultivating quince.
Technical Sheet on cultivating pear.
Reprinting the technical guide-lines on apple cultivation.
Reprinting the technical guide-lines on peach cultivation.
Delivered
100
20
100
100
20
157
115
34
Post-Harvest Departament
Technical assistance services
members of the CARIBEL Cooperative of
uring 2003 the Post-Harvest
the National Farmers Union (UNC) located
Department offered technical assisin the Ocotepeque sector.
tance to temperate climate vegetable proAssistance in plantain processing was
ducers organized by CARE, PROMOSTA and
given to the Food Company Inc. (ICASA) in
FHIA-La Esperanza, in various communities
Chinandega, Nicaragua, and to the ANA
of the Departments of La Paz and Intibuca
Industry in Managua, Nicaragua, as well as
that supply products for the domestic marfor the post-harvest handling of sweet corn
ket.
(Zea mays L.) and ochra (Hibiscus esculenSome research work on modified envitus).
Finally,
the
Agro-business
ronments was done for an enterprise located
Development Center (CDA) of FINTRAC
in the South of the country that exports
in Honduras was helped in researching
melon (Cucumis melo L.) and water melons
yucca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and in
(Citrullus lanatus L.). The tasks were perjalape o pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).
formed using different types of plastic bags
and contributed to an improved post-harvest
Inducing ripening in Jalape o peppers
Héctor Aguilar, M. Sc.
management of these fruits.
(Capsicum annuum L.) with Ethylene
Head of Post- Harvest Departament
Coordinating with the Diversification
The objective of this project was to
Program, the producers of black pepper
study the exposure time and the ethylene
(Piper nigrum L) were assisted in preparing quality standards for dosage to induce change of color in jalape o peppers. The treatthis grain, and technical assistance and training was also given to ment with 400 cc of Etigen¤ had no effect on changing the color
the rambutan (Nephellium lappaceum L) producers exporting to of the green jalape o pepper. However, a change of color was
the United States market.
observed in green striped peppers with a 30-40% orange colored
At the request of the Development Organization of Corquin, skin, treated with the same dosage of Etigen¤ and 24 hours of
Copan (ODECO) several training activities were conducted for exposure, after five days at room temperature.
small producers in that part of the country. The organization
Fungus and bacteria caused rotting and therefore a 35% loss
offered assistance in the Western part of the country in post-har- of the product. The loss of weight of the fruit in 10, 12 and 14
vest handling of temperate climate fruit and vegetables and in pro- days of storage, was of a maximum of 20 grams, with a loss in the
cessing wild blackberries (Rubus spp.), apples (Malus spp), peach- firmness of the fruit seen after four days.
es (Prunas persica), plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) and squash
(Cucurbit ficifolia L.). A similar service was given to the producers
D
Plain green jalape o pepper without any effect from the
ethylene.
Striped green pepper with more than 35% of yelloworange color responding to ethylene
35
P O S T- H A RV E S T D E PA R TA M E N T
Yucca (Manihot esculenta L. Crantz) post-harvest evaluation stored in three different types of plastic bags.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate different types of
plastic bags for prolonged storage of yucca.
The results obtained indicate that the yucca stored in plastic
bags for 21 days, did not show any weight loss, however a weight
loss and dehydration was noted during the control treatment after
the fifth day of storage. The presence of fungus was observed in
the control on the third day especially in areas that were damaged
or bruised.
After the tenth storage day, all the treatments showed fungus
except bag BJ33. In the control treatment a physiological deterioration was observed on the second day of storage and in the
treatment of polytube and banavac bags the same effect was
observed after the tenth day. These were also the bags with
greater condensation. The physiological deterioration was less in
the paraffin treatment and with bag BJ33 after 21 days of storage.
Post-harvest evaluation of twelve varieties of salad tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) grown in green houses
One of the objectives of evaluating new varieties of salad
tomatoes was to learn about their agronomic behavior, as well as
their morphological and physiological characteristics as well as
their behavior during storage and shelf life, as a result of pre and
post-harvest handling. In the evaluation it was observed that the
larger size fruit was the 304, Narita, 1418 and 302 weighing
228.0, 222.2, 190.8 and 172.5 grams, respectively. The best
shaped fruits were 1419, 304, Narita and 1418 showing good proportions as far as diameter and length of fruit is concerned.
The 1418, 304, Narita, 1419 and 304 varieties had 6.2, 5.5,
5.0, 4.8 and 4.2 cavities per fruit, which indicates that they are
susceptible to a rough handling or bad packaging, mainly the 304,
1418 and 1419 materials, that showed a low resistance to rupture
with 1.5, 1.8 and 1.9 Kgf. The Narita and 304 varieties had the
greater titrable acidity with 9.0 and 6.8 meq/100g of fruit.
All varieties presented physiological changes during shelf life,
mainly weight, firmness and acidity loss, with brix increasing in
some of them. In conclusion the 304, 1418, 1419, 306,
Dominique and Narita varieties or types were those that presented better morphological internal and external qualities during
storage and shelf life.
Evaluation of selected material from tomatoes cultivated in
green houses.
Protocol for ripening FHIA-20 and FHIA-21 plantains
The purpose of the study was to determine the ethylene
dosage for induced ripening of the FHIA-20 and FHIA-21 plantains
for the processing of ripe slivers or baked plantain. Different
dosages and times of exposure to ethylene were evaluated and
the optimum ripening of the hybrid FHIA plantains was obtained
with fruit aged for 84 days. The process was to place the fruit during 36 hours at a 14 …C temperature with a relative humidity of
between 90-95% to remove field heat. Later, the temperature
was increased to 16 …C for 12 hours, as a period of conditioning
and then Etigen was applied as an ethylene source.
The FHIA-20, FHIA-21 hybrids and the horn plantains
reached a firmness of 1.7, 2.2 and 2.11 Kgf with applications of
150 ml and 250 ml of Etigen, respectively. The FHIA hybrids in
order to ripen need a high relative humidity to maintain firmness
and to avoid pulp and skin dehydration and softening. Fruit should
no be left at room temperature for more than two hours before
processing. Both hybrids showed acceptable coloring after frying
(golden yellow) and the amount of oil absorbed is similar to that
for horn plantain.
Characteristics of FHIA-20, FHIA-21 and horn plantains
after the frying process.
Species
Palpable
Texture
FHIA-20 Soft/shapely
FHIA-21 Soft/shapely
Horn
Slightly Hard
Brix
Degrees
Color
35.2
34.3
32.6
Golden yellow
Oil Content
(g)
4.2
4.9
3.9
36
Plant Protection Departament
T
he Plant Protection Department supported FHIA Programs, producers and
other national agricultural activity players by
executing research and development, diagnosis, transfer of technology, training and
field assistance, for identifying, characterizing, and efficient and secure handling of pests
and abnormalities in crops of interest.
Following are the most relevant activities
that were developed during the last period.
strategies to handle these insects efficiently,
particularly in regards to export crops. Since
1994 FHIA has developed collaborative
tasks with the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA, Vienna, Austria), with partial
financial support of the IAEA, to evaluate
systems that attract the fruit Flies
During 2003 citrus planning experiments were made of the Orthanique species
in Santa Cruz de Yojoa, Cortes, and of the
Ruby Red grapefruit in Montevideo, El
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Porvenir, Atlantida, to evaluate the following
Evaluation and participative sharing
female lures: A) Based on NuLure + Borax;
of the Musa hybrids which are
B) ? X Ammonium Acetate (AA) +
resistant to the black Sigatoka
Putrescent (PTR); C) ? X AA + PTR; D) ? X
The second year of the Evaluation and
AA; E) 2X Ammonium Bicarbonate (BA) +
Mauricio Rivera, Ph. D.
Participative Sharing of the Musa Improved
PTR; and, F) ? X BA. The results in either
Head of Plant Protection Department
Germ-plasma was completed, this is an iniplaces showed that NuLure continues to be
tiative that is administered and financed by
equally or more effective than synthetic
INIBAP in four countries in the Americas and three in Africa by the lures in attracting Anastrepha spp. adults and females.
Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) of the FAO, with the goal
of promoting Musa hybrids that could contribute to food security
Progress in studying the reproductive biology of female
in those countries.
Phyllophaga obsoleta in La Esperanza, Intibuca.
During their first three years, demonstration plots of eleven
The effect of light as a lure
species of promising banana and plantain hybrids resistant to the
The Phyllophaga obsoleta larvae and of other species of this
black Sigatoka are being evaluated, of these nine were developed gender known generically here as Gallina ciega , sic Blind hen
in FHIA, one in CARBAP (Cameroon) and one in IITA (Nigeria), feed on underground parts of plants, causing significant losses in a
comparing them to local equivalent species. In Honduras, at the Wide range of crops, unfortunately, in general conventional conend of the second year there were demonstration and seed pro- trol measures have proved to be of limited effect. The ovipositing
duction plots established in the following five places: La Lima, period of the adult Blind hen starts at the beginning of the rainy
Cortes; El Negrito, Yoro; Catacamas, Olancho; Comayagua, season and lasts from 6-9 weeks; these adults are attracted by
Comayagua; and Liure, El Paraiso; additionally in a sixth location, light, therefore the use of light traps has been put forward to
in El Calan, Cortes, the same materials are being evaluated under reduce the numbers of P. obsoleta females that are responsible for
the format of a replicated experiment. In this phase field and post- ovipositing.
harvest information is being generated that will allow farmers and
In 2003 in the Intibuca highlands, observations were made on
specialists to identify the most appropriate hybrids for local condi- the development of oviposits and eggs in P. obsoleta females
tion production.
extracted from the soil before they would naturally emerge, the
Starting with the third year, it is expected that a supervised status of pregnancy of females that emerged attracted by the light,
agricultural credit package with funds committed by CFC will be and determinations on ovipositioning of individual females naturalavailable, so that by the fourth year small producers will be able to ly emerged that were immediately confined with male pairs in
receive financing to establish pilot commercial plantations with the cages with soil and food. Not until mid April were females extractmost outstanding varieties and using the best appropriate technol- ed from the earth belonging to the first developed eggs; and from
ogy available. In three locations of Honduras the collection of data that date the quantity of females with eggs and the average of eggs
on the first cycle of production was finalized, having identified pre- per female increased until the emergence period began.
liminarily three hybrids that stand out because of their general
As the adult emergence began, the finding was made that only
good behavior: FHIA-20 (plantain), FHIA-23 (banana) and FHIA- one out of every ten females confined showed eggs, and the num25 (cooking banana).
ber of eggs was of 16. In seven weeks of light trapping 7,794 individual (50.13% females) were trapped; half of the females captured
Evaluation of female fruit Fly attractors in citric groves
did not have eggs, there was one female that had 53 eggs, and the
Detecting and quantifying fruit Fly populations are one of the average was of 3.78 eggs/female. With this date the conclusion is
37
P L A N T P R O T E C T I O N D E PA R TA M E N T
that light traps were not effective as a management strategy, since
at the moment they were captured the females had already
deposited 92.8% of their eggs.
Progress in handling the gallnut nematode
(Meloidogyne sp.) in eggplant
In the horticulture areas of Honduras, the gallnut nematode
(Meloidogyne sp.) causes substantial losses in eggplants and other
crops. As eco-friendly alternatives in handling this pest in eggplants, in the CEDEH, in Comayagua, the BuRize mushroom
Glomus intrarradix, the antigen Mycobac mushroom Trichoderma
lignorum, and grafting on wild a solanacea Solanum torvum
(Friegaplatos, Huevo de Gato local Spanish common names), in
soils that were infested with the gallnut nematode, compared to
applying a nematocide (oxamilo) and a control witness with no
treatment.
The results clearly showed that the grafted plants presented
visibly greater vigor, less signs of gallnutting, better increased
yields and a greater production cycle than the rest of the treated
plants. The grafting method opens up new possibilities for producing this species effectively without the use of nematocides and
reducing costs and environmental and health hazards that these
represent.
DIAGNOSIS AND REPORTING PESTS AND DISEASES
Diagnostic services and computer data
base of fito-sanitary problems
The systematic identification and reporting fito-sanitary problems and the circumstances of their occurrence is an important
factor in fito-protection. FHIA has been operating since 1985 the
only fito-sanitary diagnostic service available to the North coast,
Western and part of the Central region areas of Honduras.
Additionally it maintains and increases an entomological collection.
In 2003 report were made on 284 diagnosis, of which 147
were Fito-pathology, 121 were of Nematology, and 16 were of
Entomology. A total of 992 samples were received and analyzed.
Additionally, PROTEVGE data entry on new fito-sanitary problems was done, and at present there are 3,735 reports that document the results of the analysis of 7,648 samples that are maintained in the entomological specimen collection and samples
entered into the fito-sanitary diagnostic clinic, these data will
serve as reference and source of information for publications and
pest and crop disease inventories.
As a singular activity, during this year the germ-plasma collection of FHIA citruses was indexed for the Weeping virus (CTV).
This collection is the source of reproductive material used in the
Diversification Program to produce grafted plants of the varieties
most sought after locally; therefore, it is important to ensure their
fito-sanitary condition. Samples were taken from 410 trees that
represent 55 different genotypes, and these were processed using
the ELISA analytic technique. Nine trees were found to be positive
to CTV, and they were immediately destroyed.
Identification and handling of viruses in vegetables
Viral diseases are one the main constraints of vegetable production in Honduras; unfortunately, a general lack of knowledge
of the identity of these diseases makes it difficult to select and
apply the more appropriate management practices. From 2001 to
2003, some 281 leaf samples of plants with viral diseases in the
Departments of Comayagua, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Yoro and
Atlantida were collected. Of these samples 55 were of Tabasco
peppers, 69 Sweet peppers, 60 tomatoes, 38 of banga a, 16 of
water melon, 10 of Jalape o peppers and 33 of other vegetable
species and some weeds. Of these, 75 were analyzed for the
Gemini virus using the molecular Polimerasa Chain Reaction
Method (PCR) and 206 for other viruses using the Enzyme
Immune Absorbance Technique (ELISA).
The results indicate that 44% of the total analyzed samples
for Gemini virus by PCR came out positive; from Comayagua 10
out of 27 samples (equivalent to 37%), were positive and from
Olancho a 47.9% of the samples were positive. In Sweet peppers,
the highest rate of Gemini viruses were registered, 19 out of 27
samples (equivalent to 70.4%). In the case of tomatoes 40.6%
(13 samples) came out positive.
With the ELISA tests a considerable amount of positive samples and various viral diseases were found, the most frequent of
them was the Etching Virus Virus del Grabado (TEV), Tobacco
Mosaic Virus (TMV) and part of the Potyvirus group. Tabasco and
Sweet peppers were the crops with the widest diversity of viruses found. These results confirm a considerable variety of viruses
found in vegetable crops, among them are those diseases caused
by Gemini virus which numerically are the most important group
that attacks these crops in the areas sampled.
This study is part of the work done in collaboration between
SAG-DICTA, the Pan-American Agricultural School (EAP) and
FHIA in Honduras, and Purdue University, Virginia Tech. and the
University of Arizona in the USA, with USAID funds through the
Integrated Pest Management-Collaborative Research Support
Program (IPM-CRSP).
Nematological characterization of agricultural soils
Prior knowledge of the problems in the field is a prerequisite
to identify the more appropriate strategies to be used in an integrated management of crops. Therefore, continuing an activity
begun several years ago, systematic sampling, soil and root analysis of existing crops in the demonstration/experimental centers of
FHIA in El Calan, Cortes (plantain and banana CEDEP),
Comayagua (vegetable CEDEH) and in La Esperanza, Intibuca
(highland vegetables PDAE), to determine the existing nematode
fito-pathogens species.
The samples obtained from CEDEP showed high levels of soil
infection by the lesion nematode (Pratylenchus coffeae), perhaps
the most important Musa species; this location has been under a
38
unwanted fito-sanitary problems may be coming
with the imported product. Therefore, its is necessary to perform an analysis that would allow and
estimate to be made of the risk involved for the
receiving country with the new product based on
accepted technical-scientific criteria that would
take into account the crops and fito-sanitary
problems that exist both in this country and in the
country of origin.
In this area, specific assistance was given to the
Center for Agro-business Development (CDA-FINTRAC), preparing a risk assessment for tomato,
sweet potato and onions directed towards exporting
them to the US market. Additionally, at the end of
the
year a contract was made with the International
Typical symptoms in cucurbitaceous leave and peppers, of diseases
Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) to prepare in 2004
caused by viruses
the risk analysis for exporting two exotic fruits with
export to foreign markets potential.
Musa mono-crop for more than 15 years, which accounts for the
predominance of the above mentioned nematode. In CEDEH a
TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFER
lower amount of the following gender of nematodes was found:
Together
with other FHIA units, technical conferences were
the bud and leaf nematode (Aphelenchoides sp.), the Ditylenchus
given
and
written
and visual material was prepared or revised for
sp. nematode, and the kidney shaped nematode (Rotylenchulus
several
of
the
courses
given by FHIA for different participants,
reniformis, the rickety nematode (Tylenchorhynchus sp.), the gallnut
including
a
range
of
crops
(plantain, temperate climate vegetables,
nematode (Meloidogyne sp.), and the spiral nematode
rice,
rambutan,
apples,
onions,
Tabasco peppers, corn and others)
(Helicotylenchus sp.), and the lesion nematode (Pratylenchus sp.).
and
subjects
(integrated
pest
management,
field diagnosis of fitoThis diversity and the relatively lower amounts of nematodes
sanitary
and
nutritional
problems
in
crops,
appropriate
techniques
reflect the diversity of crops that through time have been estabfor
taking
samples
for
laboratory
fito-sanitary
diagnosis,
safe and
lished on rotation crops in the CEDEH soil.
efficient
handling
of
pesticides
and
others).
Attendance
during
In La Esperanza, Intibuca, at 1,600 masl, and with a lesser diverthese
courses
fluctuated,
including
small
and
medium
national
and
sity of crop species, the analysis results showed high incidents only
international
producers,
technicians
from
agriculture
business
and
of the spiral nematode (Helicotylenchus multicinctus) in the majority
others.
of the samples, followed in a decrease order and by a much lower
frequency by a Ditylenchus sp. species, the gall nut nematode
Participation in technical-scientific events and training
(Meloidogyne sp.) and the lesion nematode (Pratylenchus sp.).
Updating staff in the different scientific subjects contained in
DPV
has been a constant concern to assure that the needed
Characterization/prevention of fito-sanitary
knowledge
to face old and new problems with the most appropriproblems in the field and in post harvest
ate
technical-scientific
tools available.
Field trip assistance has been give to the FHIA Experimental
Stations in Comayagua (Comayagua), La Esperanza (Intibuca), La
Masica (Atlantida) and La Lima (Cortes), with multidisciplinary
teams to characterize and prevent fito-sanitary problems that
affect existing crops and products. Additionally assistance was
given by inspecting the crops and products of the farmers receiving support, or to producers and entities that ask for particular
services. The crops represented in this activity included water
melon, banana, black pepper, papaya, oranges, grapefruit, peaches, African palm, peppers, melon, potatoes, Indian vegetables,
Asian vegetables, rambutan, sugar cane and others.
An additional activity that was initiated during the year was the
preparation of pest risk analysis for export potential crops. The
import of a new agricultural product to the country for the first time,
or from a new source presents a risk to the importing country, since
Technical-scientific events and study trips
The sabbatical absence of Mauricio Rivera from the 20th of
April to the 6th of October, 2003, sponsored by the Fulbright
Program of the State Department of the United States. This took
place in the California University- Davis, on the subject of
Developing the Skills in Advanced Technology of Fito-pathological Diagnosis .
In May of 2003 Hernan Espinoza participated in the XLIX
Meeting of the Central American Cooperative Program of
Improvements in Crops and Animals (PCCMCA), that took place
in La Ceiba, Atlantida, presenting the results of the following five
studies done by members of the DPV: Incidence and importance
of the Begomo-virus in Solanaceous and Cucurbitaceous crops in
39
two regions of Honduras , Reaction of the FHIA-22 and FHIA25 hybrids to the Pratylenchus coffeae and Radopholus similis
nematodes, Evaluation of micorices and organic nematocides in
managing Meloidogyne sp. in eggplant export , Effectiveness of
the imidacloprid to control Phyllophaga obsoleta in strawberries ,
and Trapping the fruit Fly in rambutan plantations in the North of
Honduras .
Hernan Espinoza in February, 2003 participated in the consultation forum organized by the Inter American Agricultural
Cooperation Institute (IICA) in Tegucigalpa, F.M., on AgroLivestock Sanitation and Food Safety .
In November of that year Hernan Espinoza participated in the
MesoAmeriNet Formation Workshop (The Meso American
Network of Taxonomy), organized by REDBIO in the City of
Guatemala.
Jose Melgar participated on the 6th and 7th of May in the
Alternatives to Methylene Bromide Workshop , that took place
in Tegucigalpa, F.M., sponsored by the Natural Resources and
Environment Ministry and the United Nations Organization for
Industrial Development (ONUDI).
CONTRACT ACTIVITIES
Candidate for black Sigatoka product control
Black Sigatoka is the highest fito-sanitary risk in producing
banana for export, and the molecular arsenal that has been
authorized to fight it is relatively limited. A test was performed for
the Unites States SQM-AJAY North America Company (GA,
EE.UU.), using the method called the Single Leaf Test , to determine the biological effectiveness of a chemical product with an
Iodine base in black Sigatoka, under field conditions with natural
inoculants.
Evaluating the effect of the Agriban bag in export
banana production.
At the request of the Mexican firm PGI-Bonlam, between
February of 2003 and March of 2003 a field study was done the
Continental Banana Plantation, in Manacal, Cortes, to evaluate
the knitted Agriban bag for bagging export banana.
Monitoring the sensitivity of black Sigatoka
(Mycosphaerella fijiensis) to fungicides
The Fito-pathological Laboratory processed 255 samples of
banana leaf tissue sent by the Syngenta firm, from Guatemala,
Belize and Honduras, to determine the sensitivity of the M. fijiensis fungus that causes black Sigatoka, to fungicides used to control
commercial plantations of export banana.
Musa variety evaluation
At the request of the Syngenta-GM firm, in October of 2003
the selected germ-plasm of export banana was initiated to determine its behavior in the field and post harvest. With this particular material 2.5 hectares were established in the CEDPR, of La
Lima, Cortes.
40
Economics and Marketing Office
T
he objective of the Economics and
1. Fruit and vegetable report in the
Marketing Office is to generate and proHonduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador marvide information for the different FHIA
kets. This included the following products:
Programs, public and private institutions and
onions, potatoes, water melon, pineapple,
to the general public, on the different agricultomatoes, cabbages, avocados and plantains.
tural product markets and for the economic
They include the prices Publisher by SIMfinancial analysis to determine the viability of
PAH.
agricultural productions projects.
2.. Cacao Report: Including the cash prices of
Among the Office responsibilities are:
the actual cacao beans of the American
•
Maintain the data base on fruit, vegAssociation of Cacao Traders and the future
etable, wood, and flower prices in the
prices of Coffee, Sugar and Cacao in the
different market of the United States
New York Futures Market Exchange.
and Europe.
3. Coffee Report: With reference to the cash
•
Monitor the different tendencies in
of the actual coffee beans in the New York
prices of the international markets to
Futures Market Exchange.
identify high priced crops.
4. Spices and Nuts Report: This report on
Enid Cuellar, M. Sc.
•
Prepare market studies.
the prices of various spices and nuts in the
Head of the Economics and Marketing Office
•
Prepare economic-financial analysis for
Netherlands, Japanese and New York maragricultural and forest products.
kets.
•
Provide marketing assistance for agricultural products.
These reports were distributed weekly and by-weekly without
During 2003, the Office up-dated and expanded the existing cost by E-mail. A total of 70 reports were prepared during 2003
data bases for the United States and European markets. This infor- distributed in the following manner: regional fruits and vegetables
mation is used in monitoring price tendencies and in identifying (40), cacao (10) coffee (10) and spices and nuts (10).
new high priced agricultural products that have potential for
Together with other FHIA units, the Office participated in varHonduras Presently the Office maintains historic data on more ious conferences related to market tendencies for the following
than 60 products.
crops: plantains, sweet onions, avocados, apples, pears and peachIn order to provide producers, exporters and institutions with es. Additionally, support was given to rambutan producers intercurrent information, the office prepared two reports on prices of ested in exports in the search for possible buyers in the United
different fruits and vegetables in the different markets of the States.
United States. These reports were:
Starting in 2003, the United States is applying the New Bio1. Report on the prices of markets in Miami and New York, terrorism Law, where exporters of products for human or animal
which includes the following products: lemons, blackberries, consumption are obliged to register the packing establishments
raspberries, melons, water melons, bananas, papayas, pineap- and the prior notification of products towards that country. In
ples, plantains, ginger, malanga, ame, dasheen, sweet corn, order to acquire knowledge on these new measures established by
okra, Chinese beans, sweet potatoes and cucumbers.
the Law, various conferences were attended prepared by different
2. Report on the prices of oriental vegetables in the Miami, New institutions on this subject. The registry of various producer packYork and Philadelphia, which includes: Chinese chives, Indian ing houses and refrigerated warehouses and the FHIA packing
cundeamor, bok choy, banga a, Chinese ochra, Taiwanese house were made.
ochra, Chinese eggplant, Indian eggplant, Japanese eggplant,
During the July to October, 2003 period, a short term consulsmall Chinese sting-beans, and hairy cucumber.
tancy was executed requested by the Argentine Latinconsult
These are one page reports where the price, origin, and sales Company, who designed an irrigation system for the Valley of
unit of the products traded in the wholesale markets of the United Oloman, in El Negrito, Department of Yoro. This consultancy had
States. These reports are distributed weekly through E-mail with- as its objective to recommend potential crops for that valley and a
out cost. Approximately 90 different reports were distributed dur- brief description of market and marketing for the products recoming 2003.
mended. The recommendations were based on the different soils
Together with Chemonics International during 2003, four in the area and upon the existing crops. The following crops were
reports on additional prices were prepared, which were two pages recommended: 1) Annual crops: corn, beans, rice, onions, planof prices of different products and brief remarks on market ten- tains, jalape o pepper, Tabasco pepper, water melon, yucca and
dencies. The reports referred are the following:
malanga; 2) Permanent crops: grapefruit, avocado and lemons.
41
Services
42
Agricultural Chemical Laboratory
T
he FHIA Agricultural Chemical Laboratory offers analysis services to the
farmers and agro-industrialists in the country and the Central American region in
soils, vegetable tissues, water, concentrated feed, cement, lime materials, etc. The
Laboratory has specialized staff and equipment to guarantee the quality, efficiency
and trustworthiness of the analysis results
and of the recommendations that stem
from them, so that the users of these services can maximize their production and
productivity in their commercial operations.
During 2003 a total of 5147 samples
were analyzed, of which a 57.6% were soil
Julio Herrera, M. Sc.
samples, similar to what was done in prior
years (See Table 1).
The majority of soil samples analyzed
were related to the production of sugar cane,
vegetables, coffee, tobacco and plantain.
(Graph 1). However, it is important to mention that in the year 2003 the number of soil
samples related to the production of potatoes and water melons increased compared
to the very limited amount of analysis in prior
years. This increase could be due in part to
the area expansion of these crops, or because
producers are becoming aware of the importance of analysis of soil to apply an efficient
fertilizing program.
Head of Agricultural Chemical Laboratory
Table 1. Samples analyzed during 2003.
Type of Sample
Soil
Foliar
Miscellaneous
Total
Quantity
2,968
1,028
1,151
5,147
%
57.6
20.0
22.4
100.0
No. de muestras
Graph 1. Soil samples analyzed in 2003.
43
A G R I C U LT U R A L C H E M I C A L L A B O R ATO RY
Regarding vegetable tissue analysis, the greater demand was from producers of African palm, vegetables, sugar cane, coffee and
potatoes (Graph 2).
Number of sample
Graph 2. Foliar samples analyzed in 2003.
The samples of African palm tissues come from the
Agropalma Company located in the Valley of the Aguan,
Department of Colon and from independent producers located in
the Guaymas sector of Yoro.
In order to increase and diversify the services rendered, at
the present time services are also offered for analyzing heavy
metals in soils and mud, and the analysis of fluorides and hexavalent chrome in water samples.
TRAINING ACTIVITIES
The technical staff of the Agricultural Chemical Laboratory
carried out training activities for producers that are receiving
assistance from the different FHIA Programs and Projects. A total
of 16 conferences were prepared, mainly for the technical subjects such as the sampling of soil and leaves, and nutrition and fertilization of crops.
As a result of a request coming from the local sugar companies, two conferences were prepared on the subjects of sugar
cane nutrition and fertilization, directed to technical personnel in
several sugar mills throughout the country. Additionally, technical
assistance in sugar cane nutrition and fertilization was given at the
Choluteca Sugar Company that operates in the Southern region
of the country.
potassium in potato production.
Evaluation of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in beetroot production.
•
Evaluation of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in cauliflower production.
•
Evaluation of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in broccoli production.
In order to continue with quality control of the analysis services, the Laboratory maintains an interchange of soil and leaf samples with the Agricultural University of Wageningen in the
Netherlands.
•
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
As far as creating or generating technology, assistance was
given in preparing the following experiments:
•
The effects of the application of nitrogen, phosphorous and
44
Pesticide Residue
Analysis Laboratory
S
ince its creation FHIA s Pesticide Residue Analysis Laboratory
has had as its mission to offer this service in a wide range of
agricultural food products with up-to-date analysis methods and
to provide assistance to the general public and to the Foundation s
Programs and Units, in order to protect consumers, producers
and the environment, with a reputation for providing efficient
services.
Samples of water, vegetables, processed foods, foliates, plastic sheets, meat and soil are analyzed in order to detect, identify
and quantify the residues of 75 different ingredients that are active
in pesticides. These pesticide residues are extracted using an
internationally approved multi-residual analysis methodology duly
modified by our Laboratory. The Laboratory has the required
instruments for this type of analysis such as chromatographers for
gases and for liquids; it also has staff trained in preparing the analysis. Presently a whole range of organ chlorides, carbamates, the
majority of organophosphates and pyretroid pesticides are analyzed.
•
•
There are five basic laboratory objectives.
Provide national producers, exporters and industry, with the
analysis of pesticide residues in their diverse products, in a
fast and trustworthy way.
Cooperate with Foundation Programs and Units, in determining pesticide residues in soils, waters and vegetable products.
Samples analyzed during 2003.
Type of samples
Quantity
170
Water
86
Filter paper
30
Sesame seed
12
Concentrated feed
10
Plastic sheets
10
Soils
9
Jalape o peppers
7
Coffee
5
Ochre
5
Sand
5
Animal tissue
4
Fruit
4
Foliar tissue
2
Plantain slivers and bread
359
Total
%
47.4
24.01
8.40
3.30
2.80
2.80
2.50
1.90
1.40
1.40
1.40
1.11
1.11
0.50
100.00
Offer training on the usage, adequate handling and accepted
levels of tolerance for pesticides.
•
Investigate environmental pesticide contamination, performing monitoring and analyzing the chemical residues in waters,
soils and in food products from vegetable and animal sources.
• Disseminate through technical publications, the results of
research studies performed.
Pesticide analysis
During 2003 a total of 359 analysis were performed (13.97%
more than the previous year), of which 47.4% were water simple
analysis, 24.01% samples of filter paper impregnated with
chlorotalonyl and 8.4% were of sesame crop seeds. The rest of
the samples were for soils, agricultural products, animal tissues
and others.
Over the years and due to the quality of services offered, the
Laboratory is consolidating its market position at a national level
of analysis services. Presently the majority of user clients are private enterprises producing or exporting food products or governmental institutions.
The services offered during 2003 were ordered by: Standard
Fruit of Honduras, Tela Railroad Company, Alcon, S.A., Vanguardia
Plastics, Chestnut Hill Farms, Industrial Analysis, Ecolova, Jordan
Laboratories and EXPRONASA.
The Laboratory has trained personnel to prepare the
different analysis that are requested.
45
Agricultural Services Unit
T
he objective of the Agricultural Services
Unit is to support and service the entire
institution in activities to do with maintaining
o the fleet of vehicles, preparing soil in the
experimental plantations and plots, executing the development of the plantations and
improving or replacing the existing infrastructure facilities, maintaining all the
weather stations, collecting and organizing
the information needed and the conservation, multiplication and sales of hybrid Don
Julio sweet corn seed and the FHIA 15 and
FHIA 24 soy varieties.
Again the possibilities for expanding soy
cultivation in Honduras are promising. As
well as the interest on behalf of the major
Roberto Fromm, Ing.
corn and sorghum producers in planting soy
Head of Agricultural Services Unit
as a rotation crop. There is also economic
motivation because of the guarantee prices
agreed upon by the processing plants. In 2003 FHIA
restructured the Seed Mechanical shop activities, 2003.
Program, but continues Month
Services delivered
maintaining and purifying
Maintenance
the FHIA 15 and FHIA 24January
16
1 soy varieties. Likewise
February
15
and through seasonal
March
13
planting the Don Julio
April
14
hybrid sweet corn seeds
May
22
are also maintained.
June
14
During 2003, all the
July
13
programmed
activities
August
14
September
October
November
December
Total services
13
22
7
9
172
were implemented, such as the preventive
and corrective maintenance of the FHIA
vehicles, and the permanent delivery of land
preparation services and agricultural mechanization in the CEDPR in Guaruma I.
Construction took place of 1250 square
meters of covered and shaded green-houses in the Foundation s experimental centers.
Based on the institutional determination to improve the CEDPR infrastructure,
more than 1200 hours of different machinery use were dedicated to farm renovating
operations and re-adapting land, such as
correcting secondary drainage, agricultural
leveling, spray irrigation installation, and soil
preparation with emphasis in greater depth
of vertical plowing.
Total for month
Repair
8
9
13
7
10
9
6
11
1
12
1
1
88
24
24
26
21
32
23
19
25
14
34
8
10
260
Agricultural mechanization activities in the CEDPR, 2003.
Performed operations
Land plane leveling
Drainage modifications
Opening of new drainage
Ditch excavation to bury piping
Burying piping in irrigation laterals
Total
Hectares
11.55
11.55
Lineal meters
1500
1653
756
4356
8265
46
A G R I C U LT U R A L S E RV I C E S U N I T
As in prior years, in 2003 the Agricultural Services Unit
offered its dedicated support to the FHIA Programs for the design
and construction of agricultural structures, under the fundamental
concept of building lasting structures, well planned and executed
at reasonable cost.
Agricultural structure activities, 2003.
Month
January
March
April
June
July
August
November
December
Tasks performed
Compost preparation shed
Construction of a well
Concrete floor
Concrete bridge
Bedroom improvements
Rain protection panels for fruit nursery
Barbed wire fence
Nursery shading
Watch Dog weather station metal fences
Because of new assignments, as of 2003, the Agricultural
Services Unit took on the responsibility of maintaining active all
the FHIA meteorological stations and compiling and processing
appropriately any information generated in each station. These
Location
CEDPR
CEDEC
CADETH
CADETH
CADETH
CEDEC
CEDPR
CEDPR
Several places
Constructed area
112 m2
100 pies
330 m2
30 m2
36 m2
254 m2
925 lineal m.
490 m2
observations consist of measuring and determining the basic
meteorological parameters; solar radiation, maximum and minimum daily temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, wind speed
and direction, and daily evaporation.
Distribution of FHIA meteorological stations, 2003.
Estation
Department
El Recreo
La Masica
Mezapa
Boquer n
Cal n
Cuyamel
Guaruma
La Lima
Naco
CEDEH
La Esperanza
Bat n
Atlantida
Atlantida
Atlantida
Cortes
Cortes
Cortes
Cortes
Cortes
Cortes
Comayagua
Intibuca
Yoro
Latitude
(North)
15¡34
15¡38
15¡35
15¡45
15¡44
15¡39
15¡25
15¡26
15¡14
15¡27
15¡18
15¡36
Longitude
(West)
87¡04
87¡06
87¡39
87¡47
87¡49
87¡11
87¡56
87¡55
87¡55
87¡41
88¡8
87¡43
Elevation
(masl)
175
20
25
5
10
12
30
28
100
620
1680
14
Station
Temperature and rainfall
Complete
Rainfall
Rainfall
Complete
Complete
Rainfall
Complete
Complete
Rainfall
Every year the main rainy season distribution is the
main factor responsible for fluctuations in crop yield
and in the total production of a particular region or of
the country in general. For this reason, the trustworthiness and exactness in climate information registered, and the sense of responsibility of those collecting field data are two fundamental elements for meteorology to fulfill its function in the knowledge it generates on atmospheric phenomena at the level of soil
surface and its probable effect on the crops of a short
or permanent cycle.
Sweet corn
plot in rotation with soy,
to take
advantage of
a fallow
banana plot.
47
Agricultural Communication
Center
48
Agricultural Communications Center
T
he Agricultural Communications
Center of FHIA has been designed to
service the Foundation s diverse Programs,
Departments and Projects, in order to
develop activities related to technological
transfer both in- country and out. These
services are related to logistical and
methodological support and to preparing
written material on agricultural communication offered through the Training, Library
and Publications Units, which are the operation units of the Center. Following is a
summary of the main activities taken place
during 2003.
At the beginning of 2003 and within the
frame work of the Agricultural Tables
organized by the Ministry of Agriculture
and Livestock (SAG), representing FHIA,
there was participation in two workshops
coordinated by the Inter American Institute
of Agricultural Cooperation (IICA), to prepare the first draft of the Education and
Agricultural and Business Training Policies in
Honduras, with a draft of this document as
the outcome.
Communication Management supported FHIAs participation in the annual
meeting of the Central American
Cooperative
Program
for
the
Roberto Tejada, M. Sc.
COMMUNICATIONS
Improvement of Crops and Animals
Communications Manager
MANAGEMENT
(PCCMCA), that took place in Honduras
The Agricultural Communications
from the 28th of April to the 2nd of May,
Center is directed by the Communications
2003. During this event, a FHIA booth was
Management, which is the office responsible for coordinating all set up, and a cultural evening celebration was sponsored by the
actions, striving to attain an efficient performance of its opera- Foundation, who also participated in moderating the event itself.
tion units to offer quality services. It also supports the General During the course of this event FHIA presented a total of 28
Directorate in implementing activities of institutional interest, research tasks performed.
promotes FHIAs services and contributes to maintaining and
This communication center actively participated in the planstrengthening inter-institutional relations.
ning, organization and execution of the Technical-Scientific
In supporting the Cocoa and Agro-forestry Program, the Conferences that FHIA prepared in different locations throughCenter participated in the planning, organization and develop- out the country. The aim of the events was to share some of the
ment of the meetings to hand out certificates of forest planta- most relevant FHIA research information in a majority of the
tions. Three events were organized and executed, one in La areas promoted at national level. In these events the services
Masica, and two in the city of La Ceiba, in which more than 400 provided by FHIA in the national agricultural sector were propeople participated, receiving their forest plantation certificates. moted, and the technical documents published by the
Foundation regarding different crops and specialized theme
areas were made available to the participants. The events were
successful due to the quantity of participants and because in all
the events, both producers and technicians expressed their satisfaction for having received the technical information.
Table 1. Technical — Scientific Conferences during
2003.
No.
Location
1 Comayagua
2 Santa Rosa
de Copan, Copan
3 Tegucigalpa, F.M.
4 Juticalpa, Olancho
5 La Ceiba, Atlantida
Total
Date
25/3/03
6/5/03
Participants
30/7/03
31/7/03
24/10/03
90
100
110
531
49
182
Foresters, male and female from the North Atlantic
Coast that received certificates of forest plantations
49
A G R I C U LT U R A L C O M M U N I C AT I O N S C E N T E R
FHIA Booth at the Technical Scientific Conference in
Juticalpa, Olancho.
Additionally as part of Foundation service promotion,
FHIA participated in other events in which a promotional
booth was also installed, as can be seen in Table 2.
Participating in these events is very important because of
the direct contact made with agricultural producers and
technicians from private and public institutions, who are
informed of the work of the Foundation and of the services that can be provided.
Information was sent, as part of the promotional activities that FHIA provides to the national agricultural sector,
at the beginning of 2003, to more than 200 public and private institutions and to productive businesses in the country. Additionally a promotional poster was designed and
printed displaying the services FHIA offers and was distributed in the main agricultural areas of the country.
Four editions of the FHIA INFORMA Quarterly Letter
were published. This is a publication of the General
Directorate that shares FHIA every day activities and inter
institutional relations. A thousand copies of each edition
were printed, and distributed by E-mail to more than 500
destinations in and out of the country.
Coordinating with the Diversification Program, the
Honduran Association of Rambutan Producers and
Exporters (AHPERAMBUT N), was continuously supported. Two issues of the Rambutan Bulletin were published in
2003. This Bulletin is the news media of this Association
and provides its members with information of interest. In
2003 the Black Pepper Bulletin was launched, to support
the Honduran Black Pepper Producers Association
(AHPROPINE). Two issues of this bulletin were also published in 2003. There were 200 copies that were also sent
to more than 500 E-mail addresses in and outside the
country.
There was a 70% increase in news releases during
2003. These were publications in the nation-wide newspapers of wider circulation, such as La Prensa, Diario El
Tiempo and La Tribuna. Through these news items, general information of FHIA was published, as was information
pertinent to the domestic agricultural sector.
The Communications Manager was also involved in
hosting the different delegations that visited this institution
to get to know general or specific aspects about it. In this
regard a total of 27 delegations for a total number of 473
people were received in 2003. These included students of
different academic levels, investors, scientists, officers from
public and private organizations, etc. The Agricultural
Communications Center also provides meeting rooms and
other services to internal and external users. During 2003
a total of 68 meetings were held for a total of 1,782 participants.
Students from the United States, visiting the Banana
and Plantain Program
Table 2. FHIA booths in different events and places of the country.
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Event
Agricultural Exhibition of Patron Saint Fairs
PCCMCA Annual Meeting.
XX Latin American Symposium on Coffee crops.
Agricultural Exposition of Patron Saint Fairs.
First Congress of Food Security / World Food Day (FAO).
Agro-industrial Exposition Creating Laws for the People
organized by the National Congress.
Place
Trinidad, Santa B rbara
La Ceiba, Atl ntida
San Pedro Sula, Cort s
Santa Rosa de Copan, Cop n
Tegucigalpa, F.M.
Tegucigalpa, F.M
50
As part of the reciprocal cooperation Agreement signed in
2002 between FHIA and the Honduran Technological University
(UTH), two students from the Tourism Career were assigned to
the Agricultural Communications Center to prepare a study on
the possibilities of developing in FHIA agricultural tourism services. As a result of this work that was carried out during the months
of August and October of 2003, two important documents were
developed. One is The FHIA Plan to develop tourism products ,
and the other is The FHIA Agro-tourism Marketing Plan . This
study is an important document for FHIA to be able to eventually
offer scientific tourism services.
To support the Cacao and Agro-forestry Moniliasis Control
Program , the script for preparing a video on Cacao Moniliasis
was prepared. This video to be used for educational purposes was
prepared by the ARGALYS enterprise, of Tegucigalpa, F.M. It has a
running time of 12 minutes and is now available.
Preparing the video on Cacao Moniliasis Control, this
included field-work in order to film the appropriate
scenes.
TRAINING UNIT
Through the Training Unit, The Agricultural Communications
Center coordinates its support to the FHIA Departments and
Programs, to develop training activities throughout the country.
These services include planning and promotion of these events,
preparing cost estimates, methodological guidance, preparing
audio-visual aides, supplying the equipment, preparing aide memoirs of the events, and others that contribute to developing efficient training activities.
At the beginning of each year, a general program of FHIA
training events is made. The 2003 program was prepared and distributed in and out of the country starting in January, so that the
information could be available as soon as possible. Additionally,
some 2-3 weeks before each event, there was another promotion
in different means (newspaper adds and invitations sent both by
fax and via E-mail), to share the information nationally and internationally.
Development of Short Courses
A total of 36 short courses were carried out during 2003 with
participation of 629 persons, most of them national technicians
and producers. These events took place at several different locations in the country, with FHIA instructors and some guest teachers.
A part of these events (12 courses) were included in the 2003
course program, and were implemented as planned. However, it
is important to stress that the majority of the short courses that
year (24 courses), happened as a result of specific domestic and
foreign requests, which allowed us to contribute towards fulfilling
the specific needs of those that requested the service, and also
generate more income for FHIA.
Also worth mentioning are the 10 events that took place in
order to benefit 203 small producers of both genders, that the
Organization for the Development of Corquin, Copan (ODECO),
supports in the Western region of the country, in an agricultural
diversification strengthening program. Likewise, by means of a
special contract with the National Agricultural University (UNA)
four courses were given on Agro-forestry Systems in the Tropics
and Farm Management Planning, with a total of 56 people participating, some of which were technicians from that University and
producing leaders from the Olancho Department.
Additionally to supporting these programmed events, the
Agricultural Communications Center also developed a specific
course on Techniques Used in Agricultural Training; in this course
24 people participated, the majority of which were technicians
that are involved in training programs, or participating actively in
the development of training activities in public institutions or private enterprises.
In order to contribute to fostering the use of modern information and communication techniques, time a course was organized
for the first time on Electronic Trade, directed to the Agricultural
Market Place (23 participants), and another on Designing Web
Pages (10 participants). During these courses participants were
Personnel from the National Agricultural University
(UNA), receiving training in the CADETH
51
Participants in the Introduction to Fito-sanitary
Sampling and in Field Diagnosis of Diseases, Pests and
Nutritional Abnormalities in Crops, held in the
CEDA, Comayagua.
Seminar on the Present Situation of the Market, and
Use of Fertilizers in Honduras, given by Engineer
Rafael Flores, from the FENORSA Company.
instructed on the use of Internet in agro business and the simplest
ways of making one s own web page, in order to improve marketing
efforts for their products or services.
Services
The Library services are given both in the reading hall as well
as by means of sending information to the FHIA technicians and
scientists. Other people s requests are also addressed from any
part of the country or from abroad. During 2003 some 1,731
searches were assisted, that resulted in using 12,509 books,
brochures and magazines.
Development of Seminars
These short duration events have only generally been directed towards the needs of FHIA technical staff, with the purpose of
them becoming familiar with new aspects on various subjects of
interest to the institution. However, starting in 2003, private technicians and producers who might be interested in the topics were
also invited. In some cases the courses were given by FHIA technicians, but the majority were presented by guest speakers.
During 2003, 11 internal seminars took place in which 331 people
participated.
LIBRARY UNIT
The Robert H. Stover Library is an operating unit of the
Agricultural Communications Center whose basic principle is to
support specialists in developing their research, production, training and technological transfer programs, assisting them with a
timely provision of scientific information.
Locating and acquiring documents
Locating, selecting and purchasing documents and the technical processing of these, took place by adding to the existing collection 1,281 new documents, which were classified and made
available to users. Additionally the existing data base was
enhanced, reaching a present total of 13,764 bibliographic registers.
The technicians and distance users were sent 933 informative
alerts and 531 articles selected from magazines, according to their
areas of interest. FHIA technicians and scientists received 321
magazines. Likewise, scientific articles were obtained from outside the country from different libraries and were distributed
among the FHIA technicians, also some documents requested
through the System of Information of the Americas (SIDALC).
The number of Library users during 2003 totaled 3,966, of
which 1,086 were from FHIA and 1,988 are people that visit us
from different locations in the country. A total of 274 schoolchildren were also received, consulting encyclopedias and other materials related to the environment. The document circulation lists
contain 2018 names.
Training
In order to constantly improve the quality of services being
offered, there is constant training provided for the Library personnel. Therefore, in 2003 at least one person participated in
each of the Training Events indicated below:
• Training Workshop on Information Analysis and use of
Thesaurus , for Library personnel during 16 hours in different
time slots.
• Course on Electronic Trade, offered by the Computer
Department.
52
•
Participation in the XIII Library and Agricultural Document
Keepers Inter American Association Meeting, taken place in
Guatemala.
Special projects
As well as the activities directly related to providing services,
the Library personnel also developed other activities such as updating the Library Procedure Manual. A Manual was prepared of
the Library Data Base, with its configurations and output formats
on-screen or on paper, a Directory was prepared of 17 information centers that are part of the National Agricultural Information
Network of Honduras and a special file was prepared with the scientific literature written by Dr. Robert H. Stover.
Participation in networks
The Library actively participated in the National Network of
Agricultural Information supported by the IICA representative in
Honduras, and in the SIDALC. From this work we would like to
highlight the periodical up-date of the bibliographical data basis of
the BFHIA, ARTIC and REVIST that are on the Internet, through
the AGRI2000 Project of the CATIE Library, located on the
SIDALC site www.sidalc.net; semester and yearly reports were
prepared for the SIDALC System Coordinators; the Automatic
Organization of Bibliographical Collection was coordinated and
took place, attended by personnel from the CATIE Orton Library
that was four days long and in which 12 members of the National
Agricultural Information Network of Honduras (REDNIAH) participated.
In order to contribute to the organization of other libraries in
the country, FHIA trained a person from the Ministry of Trade and
Industry, and continued to give support to the National
Agricultural University (UNA) and to the National Forest Sciences
School (ESNACIFOR), training part of their personnel assigned to
their libraries.
Promotion and sale of publications
Promotional material prepared by FHIA is well accepted in
and out of our country. A total of 1,612 printed documents were
sold through the Publication Sales Section in the hall where the
Technical Courses took place. There were also sales booths setup at the Annual PCCMCA Meeting, and the Food Security
Congress, at the XX Coffee Producing Symposium and at several
local Patron Saint Fairs. An exhibition of products was set-up at
these events and a service promotion sign was displayed.
PUBLICATIONS UNIT
The main objective of this unit is to support FHIA Programs,
Departments and Projects, in the design, preparation and multiplication of agricultural communications material, used in the technological transfer process.
Services offered
The Unit also offers its services to outside customers, and for
them, during 2003 the main services rendered were to the Study
of Behavior of Native Lumber Species, Worthy of Trade of the
Tropical Humid Forest of Honduras (PROECEN), for whom 500
copies of the Forestry Guide to 23 Tropical Humid Forest Species
were designed and printed; and for the Lancetilla Botanical
Garden for whom 1500 copies of promotional brochures were
designed and printed.
Dr. Guillermo Villanueva, IICA Representative in
Honduras and the CATIE Orton Library staff members,
handing out diplomas to the participants of the Basic
Course on Organizing Bibliographical Collections with
WinIsis. Taking the course were 12 librarian, members
of the National Agricultural Information Network of
Honduras, coordinated by FHIA
Institutional reports
Each year the Programs, Departments and Projects prepare
their Technical Reports, which are edited by the Publications Unit.
During this year seven Technical Reports were worked on in the
areas of text revision and correction, standardizing formats and
final printing for their final distribution.
The Annual Report is another document published each year.
In the year 2003 the text was revised and the 2002-03 edition was
designed and diagrammed, there were 1000 copies printed. This
report in PDF format was also burned in a compact disc to facilitate distribution.
Technical guidelines and manuals
These documents generally offer information on a particular
crop and can detail some or all of the aspects related to its production and marketing. During this year seven guides or manuals on different subjects were prepared, additionally the document called
Climate Data of the FHIA Stations (Table 1) and four manuals for
short courses were revised and up-dated, of the short courses performed as part of the activities programmed by the Training Unit.
53
Other information materials
A total of 15 brochures were designed and printed at the
request of the Foundation s Projects and Programs, as well as four
editions of the Quarterly FHIA Information Letter. Additionally,
three bulletins on cultivating rambutan, two bulletins on black pepper, the list of publications, the REDNIAH directory and the list
price of FHIA services were designed, diagrammed and printed.
Compact discs
In order to modernize the way information generated by the
Foundation is published, in the year 2003 the equipment to publish documents in PDF format on compact discs was purchased.
This has allowed the latest FHIA publications to now be distributed in compact disc format as well.
Other services
Coordinating efforts with the Watershed EU- Project technical staff, the women leaders of producers of the area of La
Abisinia, Tocoa, Colon, were assisted in their training, with two
short courses on constructing fire-wood saving stoves. This activity was complemented by preparing the Let s Save Fire-wood at
Home manual.
Table 1. Technical guidelines and manuals prepared during 2003.
No.
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
Document
Guidelines on planting rambutan
Rambutan cultivation manual
FHIA weather stations data
Guidelines for cultivating strawberries in Honduras
Guidelines for producing blackberries in Central America
Cocoa Moniliasis control
Let s save fire-wood at home
Materials prepared by the Publications Unit, used for technological transfer.
54
Information System of
Agricultural Product Markets
of Honduras
55
S
Information System of Agricultural
Product Markets of Honduras
T
he Information System of Agricultural
Product Markets of Honduras (SIMPAH), continued during 2003 with the
strategy of broadcasting information to
farmers and merchants in a timely and
trustworthy manner, using the different
mass media and a web page, as well as
maintaining a select group of subscribing
clients in all of its services.
Information is collected daily in order
to obtain market intelligence , for which a
training plan has been prepared for the
project technicians, which included establishing automatic spread-sheets in order to
follow the price tendencies and fluctuations, based upon a historical data base
from 1996 to date.
Continuous evaluation
In order to maintain the trustworthiness
of the Systems information, supervisory visits are made to the reporters in the
Honduran centers, in which price information is gathered. These visits were also made
in Nicaragua and El Salvador, where an updating of software and auditing data is taking
place.
Project clients
The Project clients are agro-industrial
enterprises, public and private institutions
interested in the agricultural subject, nongovernmental organizations, universities,
national and international consultants and
Miguel Nolasco, M. A.
agencies of different countries that monitor
Leader of SIMPAH
the behavior of agriculture at a world level.
Information network systems
There was continued collaboration with
In order to maintain a system that will address the needs of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock providing the competithe type of agriculture farmers are seeking, that is directed tivity report on grains, fruits and vegetables; additionally, retail
towards international markets, the SIMPAH maintains a network price data for the commitments with INFOAGRO with the
with other similar systems that are part of the International regional organizations of the Central America Economic
Organization of Agricultural Markets (OIMA) in the Pan American Integration System (SIECA) and to the Regional Council of
Region. A representative of SIMPAH participated in the annual Agricultural Cooperation of Central America, Mexico and the
meeting of this organization that took place during the month of Dominican Republic (CORECA) was delivered.
December in Nicaragua, where cooperation and technological
interchange is promoted in both procedures and strategies.
Percentage of distribution of broadcasting through
Broadcasting information
SIMPAH collected and broadcasted prices of agricultural
products in Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua on a daily basis,
after managing and maintaining a network of committed merchants in the System, who are mainly located in the main wholesale markets in the countries where the Project is operating.
Publications
The following publications and reports were prepared:
Annual Price Statistics; Business Directory of Honduras,
Nicaragua and El Salvador; Penetration Cost Report and the
Central American Bulletin, Market Panorama, which has market
information on the three Central American countries, a consolidated price report, data, grain competitivity report, which is distributed by E-mail to more than 300 regional subscribers.
mass media
2%
68%
30%
Radio
Televisi n
Prensa
56
INFORMATION SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT MARKETS OF HONDURAS
Reporters meeting
A meeting of SIMPAH reporters was arranged for the first
time, in this event 11 reporters from the System plus Project technical staff participated, to undertake a revision of procedures, and
an up-dating of work methods in both offices and in the field, as
well as to foster an integrated vision of SIMPAH.
This event took place in FHIA offices in La Lima, Cortes, during which reporters from El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua
participated. In this event the new requirements that have arisen
with the new system were presented, as well as the report with
Chemonics International and others for new users.
Training
Intense training activities took place during 2003; Dr. Joaquin
Arias of the Inter American Agricultural Cooperation Institute
(IICA), came to show us how to use the models for price forecasting, the analysis of volatility, among other information tools that
will assist SIMPAH to add value to the analysis being prepared.
Software for economic-metric analysis (e-view4) and Crystal
Reports were purchased, directed to a better presentation of the
Systems reports, as well as the MPP model of IICA, used in the
short term forecast of prices, specially for dealings with the agricultural exchanges.
SIMPAH is presently preparing a listing of strategic products,
for which these models will be initially tried out, to assure its forecasting ability, since markets such as ours have restraints since
they do not control the volumes, which in turn restrains the forecast analysis in time series.
Participants in the annual SIMPAH reporters meeting
57
Administration
58
Independent Auditors
report
To the Members of the
Honduran Agricultural Research Foundation (FHIA)
W
e have audited the general balances of the Honduran Agricultural Research Foundation (FHIA)
as of the 31st of December 2003 and 2002, and the corresponding financial statements, and the
accumulated surpluses and cash flows for the years ending on those dates. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Foundation administration. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements, based on our audit.
We perform our revision in accordance with generally accepted auditing practices. These auditing
norms require planning and executing the audit so as to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial
statements are free from significant errors. An audit includes the examination, through sampling of the
evidence supporting the figures and information that appear in the financial statements; an audit also
includes an evaluation of the accounting principles used, and the most important accounting estimates
made by the administration, as well as the overall evaluation of the financial presentation. Due to the
above our auditing provides a reasonable basis for stating our opinion.
In our opinion, the before mentioned financial statements were reasonably present in all their important aspects, the financial situation of the Honduran Agricultural Research Foundation (FHIA) as of the
31st of December, 2003 and 2002, as well as the results of their operations and cash flow for the years
ending on those dates, in accordance with the generally accepted Honduran accounting principles.
Grant Thornton Herrera Guzman
March 12th, 2004
Honduras, C.A.
59
Balance
Statement
Sonia Ruiz, M.A.E.
Hernán Vélez, Lic.
Internal Auditor
Administrative Manager
ACTIVO
Al 31 de diciembre de
2003
2002
Activo Circulante
Caja y bancos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Inversiones temporales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Cuentas por cobrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Inventarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Total Activo Circulante . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
11 103 437
298 141
19 284 593
1 126 921
31 813 092
18 380 497
2 969 601
14 781 799
1 071 268
37 203 165
Inmuebles, maquinaria y equipo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Inversiones en bonos y fideicomiso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
31 676 563
335 323 201
34 551 709
323 609 714
Activo Diferido . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
23 965
71 846
32 237
32 237
321 650
395 468 671
Otros Activos
Depósitos en garantía . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Otros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Total Activo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
398 869 058
PASIVOS Y SALDOS DE FONDO
Pasivo Circulante
Cuentas por pagar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Intereses no devengados . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Retenciones por pagar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Gastos acumulados por pagar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Comisiones por pagar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Cuentas por pagar proyectos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Total pasivo circulante . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
969 081
2 764 270
128 150
241 820
277 014
11 287 836
15 668 171
16 761
417 558
353 280
7 004 295
11 006 917
Obligaciones Diferidas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
696 901
1182 818
SALDO DE FONDO
Patrimonio Proyectos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Patrimonio FHIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Total Inversiones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
23 504 647
358 999 339
382 503 986
21 577 023
361 701 913
383 278 936
Total Pasivo e Inversión . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
398 869 058
395 468 671
3 215 023
60
PREFACIO
Income statement through december 31th, 2003
Por los años terminados
Al 31 de diciembre de
2003
2002
INGRESOS POR DONACIONES Y OTROS INGRESOS
Intereses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
39 983 778
52 294 174
Donaciones y contribuciones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
11 070 126
12 930 869
Ingresos por servicios técnicos de laboratorios y otros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
10 459 368
6 821 725
Ingresos de proyectos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
378 338
823 303
Otros ingresos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
1 429 614
1 954 175
Diferencial cambiario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
1 505 590
4 957 218
Total Ingresos recibidos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
64 826 814
79 781 464
Investigación . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
2 283 066
2 113 354
Proyectos agrícolas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
19 373 682
18 265 331
Unidad técnica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
867 478
654 429
Servicios de laboratorios, agrícolas y técnicos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
12 567 690
11 305 341
Comunicaciones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
3 572 974
3 485 787
Proyecto La Esperanza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
756 937
3 330 194
Proyecto SIMPAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
2 235 268
2 125 676
Proyectos varios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
8 786 280
5 266 560
Gastos generales y de administración . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
9 867 504
9 836 817
Depreciaciones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
4 987 036
4 748 844
Comisiones bancarias y otros gastos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
4 596 784
6 765 587
69 894 699
67 897 920
-5,067885
11 883 544
Al principio del año . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
383 278 936
376 784 669
Ajustes a excedentes de años anteriores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
4 292 936
Utilidad en venta de activos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
-
Traslado de pasivos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
-
Activos netos al final del año . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
382 503 987
Gastos Operacionales:
Cambio en activos netos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps.
Activo Netos
(4 142012)
11 792
(1 259 057)
383 278 936
61
PREFACIO
Technical and Administrative Staff
DIRECCIÓN GENERAL
*Adolfo Martínez, Ph.D.
Director General
*María Lourdes Mendieta
Secretaria Ejecutiva
PROGRAMA DE
DIVERSIFICACIÓN
*José Alfonso, Ing. Agr.
Líder del Programa (a.i.)
*Teófilo Ramírez, Ing. Agr.
Investigador Asistente I
*Maximiliano Ortega, Ing. Agr.
Investigador Asistente III
*Ena Posadas, Promotora Ambiental
Técnico I
*Judith Villalobos
Secretaria Bilingüe
ECONOMÍA AGRÍCOLA
*Enid Yamileth Cuellar, Msc.
Economista Agrícola
AUDITORÍA INTERNA
*Sonia Ruíz, M.A.
Contaduría
GERENCIA ADMINISTRATIVA
*Angel Hernán Vélez, Lic.Contaduría
Gerente Administrativo
*Yadira Laffiteau
RECURSOS HUMANOS
*Antonio Ventura León
Maestría en Recursos Humanos
Jefe de Recursos Humanos
*Margarito Hernández
Jefe de Seguridad Interna
*Cándida Montes, P.M.
Asistente II
*Jessica Espinal
Licda. Relaciones Industriales
Asistente III
*Ana Yamileth Vásquez, P.M.
Auxiliar I
*Martha Mejía, Secr. Bilingüe
Auxiliar I
*María Azucena Gálvez, Secr. Bilingüe
Auxiliar I
*Martha A. Díaz, Secr. Bilingüe
Recepcionista
MANTENIMIENTO Y
SUMINISTROS
*José de Jesús Dubón, P.M.
Jefe Mantenimiento y Suministros
*Raúl E. Cerrato, Lic.
Asistente I
*Wendy Carolina Pineda
*José Antonio Brizuela P.M.
Asistente II
*Milton Murillo, P.M.
Auxiliar I
Antonio Ventura, M.A.
Head of Human Resources
CONTABILIDAD
*Sandra Flores, P.M.
Contadora General
*Marcia Dolores Mejía, P.M.
Asistente II
*Marlene Enamorado, P.M.
Asistente II
DIRECCIÓN DE INVESTIGACIÓN
*Dale T. Krigsvold, Ph.D.
Director de Investigación
*Irene Patricia López
Licda. Admón. de Empresas
Secretaria Ejecutiva
PROGRAMA DE BANANO
Y PLÁTANO
*Juan Fernando Aguilar, Ph.D.
Líder del Programa
*Salomón Mendoza, Ing. Agr.
Asistente I
*Enrique Tovar, Ing. Agr.
Asistente I
*Leonel Emilio Castillo, Ing. Agr.
Investigador Asociado I
PROGRAMA DE CACAO Y
AGROFORESTERÍA
*Jesús Sánchez, M.Sc.
Líder del Programa
*Aroldo Dubón, Ing. Agr.
Investigador Asistente II
*Rolando Martínez, Ing. Agr.
*Enrique Ramiro Maldonado, P.A.
Capataz
PROGRAMA DE HORTALIZAS
*Denis Ramírez, Ph.D
Líder del Programa
*Jaime Iván Jiménez, M.Sc.
*Mario Ramón Várgas, Ing. Agr.
*Gerardo Petit Avila, Ing. Agr.
*Ada Margarita Discua
*José Renán Marcía Santos
Asistente I
FHIA LA ESPERANZA
*Antonio Romero, Ing. Agr.
Líder Proyecto
*José María Nieto, Ing. Agr.
*Marco Antonio Domínguez, Ing. Agr.
Asistente I
*Jorge Gámez, Ing. Agr.
Asistente I
*Abelardo Fiallos, Ing. Agr.
Asistente I
*Nury Melgar
PROYECTO DE ARROZ
*Luis Brizuela, M.Sc.
Investigador Asociado III
CÓMPUTO
*Raúl Fajardo, Ing. en Sistemas
Jefe de Cómputo
*Irma Gonzáles Vásquez, P.M.
Asistente III
*Ramón Ventura, P.M.
Técnico I
62
T E C H N I C A L A N D A D M I N I S T R AT I V E S TA F F
LABORATORIO QUÍMICO
AGRÍCOLA
*Julio Salomón Herrera, M.Sc.
Jefe de Laboratorio
*Elizabeth Peña López Licda. en
Química y Farmacia.
Asistente II
*Héctor Salvador Guevara
Asistente II
*Andrés Deras, P.M.
Asistente III
*Francis Morales
Técnico II
*Cinthia Cruz
LABORATORIO DE ANÁLISIS DE
RESIDUOS DE PLAGUICIDAS
*Eda Amalia López
Técnico I
PROTECCIÓN VEGETAL
*Mauricio Rivera, Ph.D.
Jefe del Departamento
*Hernán Espinoza, Ph.D.
Entomólogo
*José Cristino Melgar, Ph.D.
Fitopatólogo
*Luis Ferando Durán, M.Sc.
*Julio César Coto, Ing. Agr.
*Jorge A. Dueñas Ing. Agr.
Asistente I
*María Eugenia Díaz
FACIO
POSCOSECHA
*Héctor Augusto Aguilar, M.Sc.
Investigador Asociado III
*Elsa Machado
LABORATORIO DE CULTIVO DE
TEJIDOS
*Juan Fernado Aguilar, Ph.D.
Jefe del Laboratorio
*Griselda Yolanda Maldonado
Técnico I
*Iván Oviedo
Técnico II
*Martha Pineda
Técnico II
*Suyapa Carolina Galeano
Técnico II
SERVICIOS AGRÍCOLAS
*Roberto Fromm, Ing. Agr.
Jefe de Unidad
*Nepty Leticia Mejía
COMUNICACIONES
*Roberto Tejada, M.Sc.
Gerente de Comunicaciones
*Rosa María López
BIBLIOTECA
*Marcio Perdomo, Lic. en Informática
Jefe de Biblioteca
*Alejandrina Cruz Cribas, Bach. CC. LL.
Auxiliar II
*Lourdes Amaya, P.M.
Auxiliar II
PUBLICACIONES
*Marco Tulio Bardales, Ing. Agr.
Jefe de Publicaciones
*Hary Nelson Tróchez,
Diseñador Gráfico
Asistente I
*Angel Radamés Pacheco
Diseñador Gráfico
Asistente II
*Elvira Elena Flores
*Arlex Giral, Téc. en Impresos
Asistente III
*Armando Martínez Lanza
Auxiliar II
SIMPAH
*Miguel Enrique Nolasco, M.A.
Jefe del Simpah
*María del Carmen Elvir,
Lic. en Periodismo
Analista Diseminador
*Marcio Rodas, Lic. en Informática
Analista Programador de Sistemas
*Manuel Eduardo Sosa, Lic. Admón.
Empresas Agropecuarias.
Investigador de Mercados
*Lester Mariano Sánchez,
Bach. Computación
Analista de Mercados
*César Rodríguez, Bach. Computación
Investigador de Mercados
*Alex Gómez
Bach. Computación
Asistente Analista Programador
*Belinda Elizabeth Pineda
Secretaria Comercial
*Jhoni Alfredo Canizales
Conserje
63
HONDURAN FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
ANNUAL REPORT
2003 - 2004
Graphic Design:
Agricultural Communication Center of FHIA
Pictures:
Technical staff of FHIA
November, 2004

Research and Transfer of Technology

Transcription

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