No country in the world has Mexico's potential for the production of strawberries, but it should get ready for the future, as the United States will suffer severe climate issues that will affect its agriculture and Mexican states like Michoacan should take advantage of it, stated Sergio Roberto Máarquez Berber, PhD in Agricultural Sciences at the Autonomous University of Chapingo (UACH).
He said that a serious American company carried out physical studies on the climate, besides just the historical cycles, and has made frightening predictions, saying that while this year may be one of the wettest for the U.S. state of California, a severe drought is also expected to hit it over the next 30 years.
Máarquez, also a specialist in plant physiology and agricultural economics said that this drought could cause a collapse of the avocado and vegetable market, since California, considered the "American garden," supplies these products to the American people; this catastrophe would consequently create a great opportunity for Mexico and Michoacan to cover that huge deficit in the supply of agricultural products.
Furthermore, after meeting with entrepreneurs of Los Reyes, the UACH researcher said he received confirmation that no country in the world has the potential to increase its berry production like Mexico, mainly when it comes to blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries.
He highlighted how important it is for Mexico's producers, governments and research institutions to coordinate and prepare for the future, "looking to introduce sustainable agricultural practices, not thinking just about what we are going to harvest in the short term, but over 10, 20 or 30 years; additionally, we must think of nature and the soil as a living being which we must care for and preserve; that means giving a boost to organic farming."
He concluded by pointing out the need for increased funding in key areas such as research, education and infrastructure, particularly the state of Michoacan, which is the country's main agricultural producer.
