The government should encourage the consumption of orange juice to support producers instead of implementing support programs, such as buying tolerant plants and bonds per ton of fruit delivered to the juicing company, because these resources don't really reach the actual producers, said citrus grower Jose Guadalupe Zuniga Delgado.
"It would be good to promote the consumption of orange, not only because of its natural benefits, but also to raise the demand for this product, which would increase prices, benefit producers, and this region that depends primarily on citrus," he said.
He said that consumption of orange juice could be initially promoted in schools, where children and parents would be informed about the advantages of consuming this fruit that is rich in vitamin C to prevent diseases like colds and to have a healthier diet.
He stressed that, to carry out these actions, they would need to take into account the programs implemented in European countries, which include carrying out genuine fruit and other natural products fairs, so that children have good eating habits. He said that, since the region of Martinez de la Torre was devoted to citrus production and they were facing marketing problems and low prices, they needed most people to acquire the habit of consuming orange juice instead of soft drinks and other artificially flavored drinks that didn't benefit the body.
Zuñiga Delgado considered the investment to promote orange juice would not be lost because the government would save huge sums in hospitals, medical care and medicines, as an increase in orange juice consumption would help prevent chronic degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, among others, which are mainly caused by the absence of a healthy diet.
Thus, Jose Guadalupe Zuñiga stated it was possible to start promoting a healthy diet among the population by promoting the consumption of a product that benefits the body and is very abundant in the region. Additionally, promoting orange juice consumption would increase demand, prices, and contribute to having a healthier economy.
