LA LIMA, Honduras — Based on the demand of international buyers and information gathered by its market analysts, Fintrac identified smooth-skinned chayote as a new income source for Honduran growers. And now, Honduran farmers are working to meet the demand.

Fintrac research found that the traditional Honduran chayote variety, which has irregular shapes and colors and has small spines, are not appealing to consumers in international markets. To meet international tastes, Fintrac brought the smooth variety from Costa Rica to Honduras. Initial plantings were carried out by six growers on 4.3 hectares in Comayagua and Siguatepeque and 5,000 fruits were harvested in March 2005. The success of the first harvests led to an increase in production area and an additional four growers planted the new variety in May 2005.

As a result of fruit quality, the new variety has had excellent local market acceptance. By August 2006, 15 hectares were being used for chayote production and 836,856 fruits have been harvested, leading to sales of $50,980 for the farmers.

Fintrac is working with these farmers under the USAID-funded Rural Economic Diversification program. The market-driven approach is one of Fintrac’s core values – when growers produce for existing market demand, incomes increase and farmers can count on steady income.

“Chayote has taken off because the local market has accepted the new variety, which is sometimes preferred over traditional varieties. Growers like it because it pays a good price and production is uniform,” Fintrac’s USAID-RED Project Director Andy Medlicott said.

In the past, chayote production in Honduras was rain-fed and used little or no fertilization or suitable pest and disease controls. Fintrac has updated chayote production to increase yields, extend harvest periods and consistently produce high-quality fruit. Fintrac’s strategy calls for increased plant density and planting only one seed per position, whereas traditional systems called for up to three. These strategies, along with Fintrac’s Good Agricultural Practices, including raised beds, drip irrigation, fertigation, pruning, weed control and pest and disease management, have started to pay off. To date, selected farms have maintained harvests over a 9-month period and weekly yields are up to 1 fruit per square meter, equivalent to 320,000 fruits per hectare for each cycle. This is more than double traditional production systems.

In the start-up phase in 2005, participating growers sold more than 500,000 fruits with sales of $45,000. Given the increased local market demand and strong export potential, Fintrac continues to promote increased production in 2006.

Fintrac’s integrated technical assistance in production and postharvest handling, and in linking producers with buyers, ensures continued expansion of this new product. For the next two years, Fintrac has established crop targets of 100,000 kilograms per month. Sales in 2007 should top $500,000, requiring about 25 hectares in harvest at any one time. New growers in new zones are also starting to produce chayote. Fintrac has conducted field days for project clients in six departments to promote the product and the new production systems. Existing growers are also earning additional income by selling planting material to new growers. Chayote is an excellent addition to diversified farm operations as it provides regular cash flow, with a return of investment of 30 percent to 40 percent.

“The new chayote variety has growing local demand and provides excellent cash flow, with weekly harvests over an 8 to 9 month period. And, over time, the export market will be further developed,” Medlicott said.