The Panamanian agricultural sector has not fared well in recent years, recording a steady decline in sales for both the external and internal market , where lack of productivity has been offset by massive imports.
Oscar Osorio is the third head of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) so far in the Martinelii administration, which in itself speaks of a sector with impaired management.
Osorio took office as a result of a recommendation by the Calesa Group, a major agribusiness conglomerate, which in a communication with the president, Ricardo Martinelli explained that "the situation in the country requires a person with knowledge and they recommend the engineer Oscar Osorio ".
Osorio was interview by Prensa.com where the new minister’s main arguments at the beginning of his administration were revealed .
Question: "More and more producers are leaving the business on the grounds that they have no support and that the activity is not profitable. What is your opinion?"
Answer: "More important than a lack of support is the fact that producers need to recognize that they can not measure an activity simply by feeling or sentiment. Today every business needs a business plan which can determine its viability. The ‘table’ in the agricultural sector stands on five legs: nutrition, health, management, facilities and infrastructure, and genetics. If one of these fails the business will fail. Unfortunately, in the agricultural sector not even the most efficient are profitable, but those who have the money will endure. It is not a system of cost, but of productivity. "
Source: Prensa.com
More on this topic
February 2012
Nicaragua is looking to buy male cattle for fattening in Panama, as it has a marketplace for the meat, but lacks the necessary animals.
Nicaragua is interested in Panama exporting bull calves for fattening, said the Minister of Agriculture, Oscar Osorio.
The Nicaraguan Agriculture Minister Ariel Bucardo, informed his Panamanian counterpart of this interest during a recent meeting of Agriculture Ministers of Central America and the Caribbean, which took place in Nicaragua, reports Prensa.com.
March 2012
The country will import 1.3 million quintals in order to compensate for current low crop yields.
The import of an initial quota of 1.3 million quintals of rice to meet domestic demand, was approved by the Agri-Food Rice Chain, which is a body composed by producers, millers, traders, consumers and agricultural authorities.
January 2012
Panama toughens Phytosanitary measures after outbreaks in Brazil and Colombia.
An outbreak of Fusarium guttiforme has blighted pineapple plantations in Brazil and Colombia and has triggered alarm bells in Panama, which has intensified its phytosanitary measures to prevent the entry of disease.
November 2011
The profitability of more than 7,000 small producers in some 50 agricultural communities has increased by up to 100% .
In the last four years producers of beans, vegetables, cocoa and vegetables, participants of the project "Inclusive Businesses" have increased their profitability thanks to training, advice and funding.
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