Colombian and Dutch government representatives have signed a deal to provide US$4.8 million in assistance of the Latin American country's banana sector.

The initiative is called the 'Program for the implementation of organized practices, seeking welfare for the productive banana and plantain units of Urabá, Magdalena and Chocó.

The program is expected to reach 685 families associated with small banana farms, with the aim of boosting development and encouraging public-private partnerships.

Colombian Association of Banana Growers (Augura) president Roberto Hoyos was upbeat on the benefits of the initiative.

"This program has been designed through a scheme of alliances and combines the experience of the union (Augura) through social banana grower foundations with international cooperation, in the execution of projects with a high socio-economic impact on the banana regions of Colombia, assuring the sustainability of Colombian producers in the competitive European market," he says.

"The agreement looks to establish a plan for the market and civil society organizations to invest in supply chains that will be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable."

Photo: Augura

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