Cotton and olives drive growth in the agricultural sector in Peru

The agricultural sector grew 3.9% between January and November, driven by cotton and olives.

Despite the impacts of natural phenomena, the agricultural sector in Peru grew 3.9% between January and November 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri).

The growth of the sector was sustained by the higher production of the agricultural subsector (+5.1%) and the livestock subsector (+2.0%), indicated the agrarian entity.

For example, the increase in the agricultural subsector in this period was driven by the greater production of cotton +168% (greater area planted in Piura, Ica and Lambayeque); olives at +56.6% (favorable weather conditions for greater production in Tacna and Arequipa) and blueberries at 30.3% (greater production area in La Libertad, Lambayeque and Ica), among others.

The higher production of starchy corn +13.5% (higher production in Cusco, Apurímac and Ayacucho) was also highlighted; grape +11.7% (greater area in production in Ica, Piura and Lima); avocado +8.5% (greater area in production in La Libertad, Junín and Huancavelica); potato +6.8% (greater area harvested in Ayacucho, Cusco and Huancavelica), among others.

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Regarding the livestock subsector, in this period there was a growth of 2.0%. This result was mainly due to higher chicken production, which increased by 2.2% (greater placement of bb chickens from the meat line in Lima, Arequipa and La Libertad), raw cow’s milk +2.9% (greater number of cows in production in La Libertad, Cajamarca and Cusco) and pigs.

On the other hand, only in the month of November of last year, the agricultural sector registered a growth of 1.2%. In that month, the agricultural subsector had a growth of 1.3%, basically due to the higher production obtained by the higher production of raw cotton +1549% (greater area harvested in Piura); pepper +73.0% (larger area harvested in La Libertad); paprika +32.5% (greater area harvested in Lambayeque), among others.

Likewise, oil palm +23.4% (greater area in production in San Martín and Ucayali); blueberry that grew by 16.0% (in La Libertad and Ica); asparagus that grew by 5.1% (mainly in Ica); grapes +4.6% (in Piura and Lambayeque), among other important products.

The agricultural sector was also boosted by the increased production of blueberries, corn, grapes, and avocados, among others.

Meanwhile, livestock production grew by 1.1% compared to the same month of the previous year. Said result was mainly due to the higher production of chicken that increased by 1.3% (greater placement of bb chickens in Lima, La Libertad and Arequipa), raw cow’s milk +2.1% (higher production in La Libertad, Cusco and Cajamarca), pork +2.2% (higher take in Lima and Ica) and beef +0.8% (higher take out in Puno, Junín and La Libertad).

The Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, Nelly Paredes, announced that, as part of the agricultural reactivation package, S/ 800 million are included for the execution of irrigation infrastructure works such as canals, reservoirs, qochas, mainly in support of the family agriculture.

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“Since the first day I assumed the position of minister of the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), the priority of my management is the management of agricultural resources,” said Paredes.

“For this reason, as part of the ‘Con Punche Perú’ Rapid Reactivation Plan, they have enabled us S/ 800 million for the improvement of irrigation canals, intakes, lining, among other actions,” he added.

In his presentation, he said that these are support measures for irrigation infrastructure, since many works require maintenance and improvements. “It will be a job that we will do with the Hydraulic Infrastructure Directorate, the irrigation user boards and the National Water Authority,” he said.

In the same way, the head of Midagri also announced that small irrigation projects will be promoted in favor of small rural producers, such as the construction of qochas (reservoirs), planting and harvesting water, infiltration ditches and reforestation work in the high parts.

The construction of 185 qochas for the use of water and the construction of 625 units of family reservoirs and 284 km of canals are planned. Said infrastructure will generate close to half a million wages, as well as restarting the production of 24,000 hectares, benefiting small agricultural producers.

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