MORE OPTIONS for potato lovers and increased income for some of Panama’s poorest farm workers are possible as at least 12 varieties of tropicalized potatoes have been  planted in the Las Minas highlands of the Herrera province.

The planting is  to evaluate their  adaptability to the climate and the region of Azuero.

The evaluation is taking place  in the community of El Ciprián, a town of Chepo de Las Minas, at about 500 meters above sea level.

Andrés González, the leader  of the project of the Instituto de Investigación Agropecuaria de

Panama (Idiap), said  that the objective is to study the adaptability in the area to obtain an alternative that guarantees the food security of the area. In addition, it will give  greater benefits to producers.

Idiap also reports that  Producers are evaluating demonstation plots of  a new bean varieties called Idiap Nua 11 with

Yields of one 1, 886 kilograms per hectare and Idaap Nua 336 Chilean with a yield of 1,990 kilograms per hectare.

65% of producers live in areas of poverty and extreme poverty.