Sterile fruit fly production center has been inaugurated in Piura

The Peruvian Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri) inaugurated a sterile fruit fly production center in Piura, benefiting over 33,000 farmers across 70,000 hectares. This project, costing S/6.3 million (approximately $1.6 million) with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), will produce 3 billion sterile flies annually to combat pests affecting crops such as mangoes.

Located at the National University of Piura, the center includes areas for breeding, irradiation, and quality control. Peru is the first South American country to apply this technique using the Anastrepha fraterculus species, crucial for mango protection.

Each week, Senasa (the National Agricultural Health Service) will produce 60 million sterile flies to help control the pest without harming the environment, reducing the need for insecticides. Furthermore, the government is working on rehabilitating 200 wells this year and another 200 next year, with ongoing investment, to ensure water security in the region.

These initiatives aim to strengthen the production and export of fruits and vegetables from Piura.

Source: agraria.pe; Photo: elperuano.pe