The governor of an Argentine province has proposed a fund to help fruit and vegetable growers affected by bad weather, local website RocaDigital reported.

Miguel Saiz, governor of the Río Negro province in northwest Argentina, aims to create the Compensation Program for Hail Damage that would help growers meet expenses after hail damages their crops.

Storms in late September and early October caused widespread damage in the Tucumán region, an important area for growing blueberries and strawberries. At the time, producers told La Gaceta, another local newspaper, that the damage could affect 15% of the strawberry crop.

Officials in the program would evaluate the amount damage experiences by growers and distribute money according to a formula based on the crop, the amount of land cultivated and the historical value of the crop. Growers would pay into the fund based on a similar formula, the website reported. Participation would be voluntary, the website reported.

Photo: La Gaceta

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com