Jiquilisco fisheries increase shrimp production by 70% with the Rural Adelante program

The Government of El Salvador is dignifying the living conditions and work of the producers of the Dry Corridor, thanks to the Rural Adelante program, executed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), an example of this are the improvements made in the Walbert Cooperative Romero de RL, who already have electricity, adequate production systems and technology, allowing them to increase pond shrimp production by up to 70%.

“The benefits have been many, because we needed aeration systems to increase production volumes and we had desilting problems with some ponds. We did not have electricity and today we have a solar system that is very strong, with the capacity to have a refrigerator and equipment, such as energy pumps to provide fresh water to the pre-breeding, larvae and post-larvae. They gave us concentrates and technical assistance; Before in this pond, for example, we did not get more than 20 quintals and now we get 40 quintals,” explained the cooperative’s production manager, Douglas Leiva.

The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Óscar Guardado, shared with the families of the cooperative to learn about the progress of the implemented project and reminded them that these are efforts led by President Nayib Bukele, who is committed to the agricultural and aquaculture development of the country, there the commitment to serve small, medium and large producers.

The partners assured that the conditions of the area have changed with government support, and not only in terms of production but also security, since now they can do their work without fear of being victims of crime.

“We as the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, through the General Directorate of Rural Development, have accompanied the productive efforts, delivering engines, with facilities and infrastructure and we will continue to accompany these national productive sectors, with the aim of generating a diversity of production national and supply our local markets,” the official added.

The specialist in the program’s aquaculture chain, José Bermúdez, stressed that the intervention in the Walbert Romero Cooperative is comprehensive, because, in addition to inputs and technical assistance, it includes actions to adapt to the effects and impacts of climate change, hence that 400 linear meters of edges were repaired and material was extracted from ponds to achieve the appropriate depth for shrimp production. These actions are financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

“Their production increased by 70%, they are getting an average production of 15 quintals per pond, before they were around 7 or 8 quintals, favoring them with the money in their pockets,” said the technician.

With an investment of more than $47,000, the cooperative families produce shrimp in a phased manner, to boost the local economy.

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