Morocco Provides 500 Quintals of Fertilizer to Panama
Morocco Strengthens Agricultural Cooperation with Panama Through Fertilizer Donation
Morocco has bolstered its agricultural cooperation with Panama by donating 500 quintals of fertilizer aimed at supporting family farmers and school gardens. This information was included in the monthly report from the Panamanian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Livestock (MIDA), published on September 14.
The donation, which was presented by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco, was received by the regional directorate of MIDA in West Panama. The Panamanian agricultural services are to utilize this fertilizer to benefit small producers and institutions involved in school gardening programs.
130 Producers Trained in Fertilizer Use
In West Panama, the plant protection coordination team organized training for 130 producers from El Cacao and Capira. The goal was to assist them in the proper use of the fertilizer provided through the Moroccan donation.
In the same province, MIDA also distributed seeds, laying hens, and feed to 25 families participating in the Familias Unidas agroecological gardening program.
Additionally, the agricultural authorities granted legal recognition to the agroforestry association Tierras de Canaán, which includes 17 producers in Nuevo Emperador within the Arraiján district.
Several Regions Benefit from Fertilizer Distributions
MIDA’s monthly report also highlighted other fertilizer distribution operations across Panama.
In the Ngäbe-Buglé comarca, the regional directorate distributed 1,564 quintals in August. Out of this total, 1,532 quintals were allocated to producers, while 26 quintals were distributed to 13 schools partnered with Caja de Ahorros. An additional six quintals were provided to a facility recently added to the program.
The Los Santos regional directorate distributed 500 quintals. Nationwide, rural development services provided fertilizer to 15 educational institutions and 143 participants in family farming programs.
In the province of Colón, 39 families received fertilizer in August, bringing the total number of beneficiary families to 175 since the start of the year.
MD2 Pineapple Focused on Export
The report also emphasizes the agricultural activity in West Panama, particularly the production of MD2 variety pineapples.
The province boasts over 1,400 hectares dedicated to this crop, with more than 90% of the production aimed at export. In August, producers shipped 124,783 crates of pineapples, totaling 14,266.87 tons.
These exports reached eleven markets, including the United States, Spain, the Netherlands, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Italy, France, Canada, Korea, Curaçao, and Turkey.
This volume represents a 0.54% increase compared to August 2025, equating to an additional 673 crates.
The region also exported 1,119.68 tons of watermelons to Europe, along with 2,640 kilograms of pitaya to both European and Asian markets. Additionally, 193 crates of orchids were shipped to the United States and Central America.
Phytosanitary Measures Support Exports
To support these agricultural exports, regional services issued 98 phytosanitary export certificates in August, with 96 pertaining to pineapples and two to heart of palm.
Fifteen exporting companies were inspected during the month, increasing the total number of phytosanitary certificates issued to 973 since the beginning of the year.
Authorities also set up 32 traps to combat the pineapple weevil, benefiting 15 producers in the Zanguenga, Las Yayas, Llanito Verde, and Iturralde sectors.
Panama Faces the Effects of El Niño
MIDA’s report further notes a rainfall deficit across several provinces, attributed to the El Niño phenomenon.
In West Panama, an agroclimatic technical meeting attended by more than 50 participants, including representatives from Panama’s Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (IMHPA), discussed precipitation forecasts.
The projections indicated low rainfall in August and November, while increased precipitation is anticipated in September and October.
In response to challenges faced by certain producers, the national directorate for rural engineering and irrigation defended a budget transfer of 2,305,365 balboas before the National Assembly’s budget committee.
These funds are intended to finance the acquisition of three drilling rigs to support producers affected by the consequences of the El Niño phenomenon.
