Jundiaí invests in technology and rescues strawberry planting

Jundiaí farmers are investing in new technologies for strawberry planting. In the 90s, the municipality had more than 7 million fruit trees, but pests reduced cultivation to 150 to 200 trees. Now, producers are optimistic about using the semi-hydroponic system, on suspended benches.

Strawberry cultivation is now carried out on benches generally made of wood and covered by protective screens, between 80 centimeters and 1 meter in height. Despite the various advantages, the system requires a considerable initial investment, in addition to knowledge of the culture and technology used for satisfactory production.

“This cultivation system provides some advantages, such as, for example, protection against intense weather events, as the plants are generally protected by screens. There is also a reduction in the incidence of pests and soil diseases, which reduces the use of pesticides and provides good fruit quality”, highlights the director of the Agribusiness Department of Jundiaí, Isabel Harder.

“Investments in Agribusiness in Jundiaí have grown by more than 400% in recent years. And through programs, such as Protected Cultivation, producers can obtain a subsidy from the City Hall to purchase the screens, which protect production. That is why we are investing more and more in measures that help producers to settle on the land and, with this, they can invest in new technologies to resume or increase production”, reinforces Eduardo Alvarez, from the Agribusiness, Supply and Management Unit. Tourism (Ugaat), from Jundiaí city hall.

According to the manager, through Ugaat, the city hall doubled the amount offered to farmers through the “Municipal Support Program for Protected Cultivation”. The resource increased to R＄6 thousand per property, double the amount transferred last year (R＄3 thousand). Registration is open until July 21st.

“We made a large investment in this system to resume large-scale production. And now, with more experience, we are producing good quality fruit without the pests that hit us in previous years”, says producer Ricardo Paulino.