Pineapples are bagged during production to enhance fruit quality.

In an effort to meet US demand, USAID’s Rural Economic Diversification Program (RED) assisted Honduran farmers in planting 980,000 MD2 “Golden” pineapple plants.

The first planting stage started in early 2006 when 14 project clients from seven departments planted on 16 hectares. Choluteca was chosen as the first zone for MD2 pineapples because of climatic conditions.

In addition to providing MD2 seeds that were imported from Costa Rica, USAID-RED provided continuous technical assistance, training and field visits through permanent technicians and crop consultants.

By the first quarter of 2007, one operation generated $15,660 in sales to local and export markets.

Because of good crop management, another client, Reynaldo Chavarria, quadrupled the planting material he originally received from the project and is expanding his planting area to four hectares in 2007.

Velásquez attributed his success to the technologies he learned from EDA and neighbors are asking him for advice on how to duplicate his success. He is sharing the knowledge he obtained from EDA and has invited them to participate with him in the program.

The 14 original clients growing pineapples are expected to at least double planting material, enabling sales to other producers interested in pineapples and furthering overall expansion.

By the end of 2007, USAID-RED expects 75 hectares planted with MD2 pineapples nationwide. With continued expansion, the projection for 2009 is 200 hectares with a sales potential of $7 million — $5 million in fresh fruit and $2 million in processed products.

The three-year USAID-RED program is implemented by Fintrac and is designed to significantly increase rural incomes and employment opportunities throughout Honduras. The program focuses on expanded production and sales of high-value and added-value agricultural products.