With a joint investment between public and private sectors and a vision oriented towards climate adaptation, the O'Higgins Region strengthens its international leadership in the cherry sector. Thanks to the Clean Production Agreement (APL), promoted by the Agencia de Sustentabilidad y Cambio Climático de Corfo (ASCC), 25 fruit companies have obtained certification for environmental and production best practices.
The APL “Adaptation to Climate Change for Cherry Producers in the O’Higgins Region” involved over 54 million pesos (around 55,000 Euros) in technologies for water and energy efficiency. Coordinated by Fedefruta, the project mainly involved micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MiPymes), which represent 90% of the participating companies.
Among the most relevant results is the 95% coverage of irrigated areas with drip systems, with a 6.04% reduction in water consumption between the 2020-21 and 2023-24 seasons. At the same time, organic waste decreased (-3.6%) as well as household waste (-6.5%), while 100% of pesticide containers were disposed of in certified centers.
The transition to renewable energy sources is now underway: 23% of producers have integrated solar energy, compared to 77% still connected to the electric grid and only 2% dependent on diesel. The use of pesticides also registered a 7.9% reduction, alongside a proportional increase in fertilizers, linked to higher productivity.
The human aspect is also crucial: 205 workers benefited from 586 hours of training on irrigation, pest management, risk prevention, and energy saving.
The project, launched in 2022 thanks to the Innovation Fund for Competitiveness of the Regional Government of O’Higgins (over 151 million pesos, around 155,000 Euros), also involved the Ministries of Agriculture, Energy and Environment, Achipia, and Odepa.
"We celebrate a cleaner, more aware and resilient agriculture," said Sebastián Carvallo (ASCC), emphasizing the role of innovation in the management of over 340 hectares in 13 municipalities. Governor Pablo Silva reiterated the importance of fruit growing for regional development, highlighting the value of shared environmental commitment.
The O’Higgins Region is the beating heart of cherry production in Chile, with 42.3% of cultivated area and over 250,000 jobs, 41.4% of which are held by women. With more than 90% of exports directed to China, the region focuses on sustainability as a lever to consolidate its global position.
As Victor Catán, president of Fedefruta, states, “these agreements are essential to improve competitiveness and meet the demands of increasingly demanding markets, where fruit is not just a product, but a synonym of health and food safety.”
The success of the APL in O’Higgins shows that sustainability and innovation can coexist, relaunching the Chilean agricultural model towards a greener and more competitive future.
Source text and image: portalagrochile.cl
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