Chayote (tayota) farmers in Jarabacoa have begun to export the vegetable with the help of financing approved by President Danilo Medina and issued by the Special Fund for Agricultural Development (FEDA).
Chayote Producers Association president Luis Cruz said that they had already started exports to Canada, and that it had helped to revitalize the economy and the farming community.
Cruz said that they were sending at least one container a week at the moment and in September they would be sending two containers a week to the United States.
Chayote farmers in Jarabacoa have cultivated around 840 tareas, equivalent to 130 acres and employ more than 2,000 people in production and export.
With the RD$18 million approved by the President in September 2013, the growers planted a new variety of chayote imported from Mexico, which can be planted every two weeks and harvested all year round. It also has a better flavor and appearance and can compete in the international markets.
Chayote farmers in Palo Blanco, Jarabacoa also make cookies, jams and other products with chayote, which is said to have medicinal properties such as helping to control diabetes and high blood pressure.
www.diariolibre.com/noticias/2014/05/26/i627081_productores-tayota-jarabacoa-comienzan-exportar.html