Peru: Arequipa and Moquegua farmers export aromatic herbs to Switzerland

Forty tons of organic aromatic herbs are exported annually to Switzerland by farmers from the departments of Arequipa and Moquegua in southern Peru, said Jose Lombardi, executive director of NGO El Taller which supports this agricultural initiative.

He said that the most produced herbs in Arequipa are oregano, thyme and marjoram, and there are about 400 farmers dedicated to this activity.

The aromatic herbs are planted in the districts of Chiguata, Yarabamba, Quequeña, Mollebaya, Pocsi and Polobaya, as well as in the district of Puquina in the General Sanchez Cerro province of Moquegua.

Three years ago, when NGO El Taller started to work in the southeast area of Arequipa, the hectars of organic aromatic herbs cultivation totaled 100, now the number has risen to 500, and it is expected to reach 800 hectars in two more years.



Source: livinginperu.com

Publication date: 11/20/2009

respond to this article  email this article    print