US, local agencies agree to boost pineapple harvests, exports

Cevicos, DominicanRepublic.- The pineapple farmers of Cevicos grouped in APROPIC and the US-basednonprofit International Executive Service Corps (IESC) on Monday announced anagreement to improve pineapple harvests and sales, both locally and abroad.

The IESC managesthe Exporting Quality and Inoculation (ECI) program funded by the US AgricultureDept. (USDA).

APROPIC presidentMilciades Madera and ECI director Brian Rudert, signed the agreement,accompanied by IESC president Tom Miller board member Don Taggart. Madera was accompaniedby APROPIC board member Fabio Giuntoli.

APROPIC and IESCpledged to work to certify good agricultural practices (Global GAP) and FairTrade among APROPIC association members and producers in Sanchez Ramirezprovince (northeast).

"Thecertifications are important for national pineapples to open a space ininternational markets like the US and Europe," the agencies said in astatement.