HONDURAN FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESERCH...

HONDURAN FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESERCHIs a private, non-profit organization dedicated to agricultural research.

Its mission is the generation and transfer of technology, mainly for traditional and non-traditional export crops.It provides services for the analysis of soil, water, plant tissue and pesticide residues as well as diagnoses of plant pests and diseases.

P.O. Box: 2067, San Pedro Sula, Cort s, Honduras, Central Am ricaPhones. PBX: (504) 668-2078, 668-2470; Fax: (504) 668-2313; e-mail: [email protected]

www.fhia.org.hn

HONDURAN FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESERCH

ANNUAL REPORT2003-2004

DONANTESGobierno de HondurasSecretaría de Agricultura y Ganadería - SAGCommon Fund for Commodities - CFCAgencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional - USAIDPrograma de Asesores Holandeses - DGIS / PAHAgencia Japonesa de Cooperación Internacional - JICAInternational Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain - INIBAPOficina de Cooperación CanadienseUnión EuropeaAgencia Suiza de Cooperación Internacional - COSUDEOrganización Internacional de Maderas Tropicales de Japón- OIMTFINTRACSYNGENTA

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ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004

Preface ..................................................................................................................................................................................5

Board of Directors 2003/04 .................................................................................................................................................8

Members...............................................................................................................................................................................9

RESEARCH AND TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY

Banana and Plantain Program ...............................................................................................................................................13

Cacao and Agroforestry Program.........................................................................................................................................19

Diversification Program ........................................................................................................................................................25

Vegetables Program..............................................................................................................................................................29

FHIA in La Esperanza............................................................................................................................................................32

Postharvest Departament.....................................................................................................................................................35

Biotechnology Laboratory ....................................................................................................................................................37

Economics and Marketing Office .........................................................................................................................................41

SERVICES

Agricultural Chemical Laboratory.........................................................................................................................................43

Pesticide Residue Analysis Laboratory..................................................................................................................................45

Agricultural Services Unit .....................................................................................................................................................46

COMMUNICATIONS

Agricultural Communication Center ....................................................................................................................................49

CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION AND MARKETING

Center for Agricultural Information and Marketing .............................................................................................................56

ADMINISTRATION

Administration ......................................................................................................................................................................58

Technical and Administrative Staff ........................................................................................................................................62

TABLE OF CONTENTS

H O N D U R A N F O U N D A T I O N F O R A G R I C U L T U R A L R E S E A R C H



5RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

During 2003 FHIA slightly re-structuredand consolidated its activities in order to

reduce operating costs. Thanks to thesechanges the Foundation will be more able toresolve the challenges stemming from the lowinterest rates accrued presently by theEndowment Fund. The Tissue CultureLaboratory was merged into the Banana andPlantain Program, which is its primary user; thePesticide Residue Analysis Laboratory wasabsorbed into the Agricultural ChemicalLaboratory; Technical Services are now part ofthe Agricultural Services Unit; the responsibili-ties that used to be held by the AgronomyDepartment are now shared between theDiversification Program and the AgriculturalChemical Laboratory; the Seed Program isnow involved only in research activities for ricecultivation, financed by the Modernization ofTechnical Agricultural Services Project (PRO-MOSTA) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG). Thus,although staff and operational costs have been reduced, FHIA contin-ues to provide services.

In an effort towards attracting additional funding sources for spe-cific projects, during this year, a wide range of commercial, nationaland international sources were approached, including: PROMOSTA-SAG, The European Union, the United States Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID), SYNGENTA, the International Network forthe Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP), FINTRAC, TheCanadian Agency for International Development (CIDA), the SwissCooperation for International Development (COSUDE), theInternational Japanese Tropical Wood Organization (OIMT) and theCommodities Common Fund (CFC). It is important to highlight theprojects in generation and transfer of technology financed by PRO-MOSTA, in cacao, rice, strawberry, banana, plantain, fruit and cold cli-mate vegetables. All of these projects are continuing in 2004. Ourgoal is to achieve more products in the future in order to have agreater impact at the national level, continue to work in improving theHonduran agricultural sector, and the standard of living of the farmers.During the month of January a contract was signed with ChiquitaBrands for genetic improvement in banana and plantain.

The Banana and Plantain Program continued to produce hybridplants and initiated the evaluation of seeds and crossbreeding startedduring prior years. New crossbreeding was done directed to improvethe organoleptic characteristics of FHIA stock diploids to improvepost-harvest characteristics in bananas and plantains produced fromthese materials. During the year, more than 20,000 bunches werepollinated, which produced more than 100,000 seeds from which32,000 embryos were taken. A careful selection of previously select-ed hybrids produced interesting products with market potential due to

their flavor and texture characteristics or due tothe enhanced nutritional characteristics. Aninnovative method of crossbreeding called‘Top-Cross’ was established and has started toproduce seeds from some of the materials thatare difficult to crossbreed manually. A collabo-rative research and training program was initiat-ed this year with several research institutions inBrazil towards installing new methods ofmolecular biology in order to make theimprovement program more efficient and pro-ductive.

Technical consultancy contracts wereundertaken in banana and plantain productionin Honduras and internationally in Eritrea,Nicaragua and El Salvador. During this year atotal of 30 visiting groups were received in theExperimental Demonstrative Center “PhilRowe” (CEDPR), as well as a constant flow ofindividuals interested in Program activities.

For the year 2004, the evaluations and field crossbreeding willcontinue with the improvement program for producing improvedbananas, and plantains and bananas for cooking. Emphasis will bemade on improving selected hybrid varieties for disease resistance andproduction characteristics. At the same time, the new materials thatshow disease resistance and desired production characteristics will beevaluated not only for traditional market characteristics, but that mightbe acceptable in diverse markets, for example: different flavors,diverse shapes and sizes, and enhanced nutritional qualities.

The molecular component of the Program will continue to bedeveloped with collaborators in Brazil and other countries. This willinclude new uses for ‘laboratory’ crossbreeding and germ-plasmamanipulation such as cultivating anthers and protoplasm fusion, amongothers.

World prices of cacao during 2003 were maintained aroundUS$1,500/mt but the Honduran situation continued to remain in cri-sis due to losses attributed to the Moniliasis disease that was identifiedin the North Coast in the year 2000. Producers were not preparedfor this disease and the cultural practices required for coexistence hadnot been routinely applied. One of the main efforts of the Cacao andAgro-forestry Program in 2003 was to execute a project with PRO-MOSTA financing to control this disease through cultural practices, theapplication of fungicides and resistant clones.

In general the Program continued with long term experimentsdesigned to assist the industry through: 1) using non traditional shadetimber trees, 2) evaluation germ-plasma for production and diseaseresistance, and 3) economic impacts in cacao fertilization. In theCacao Experimental and Demonstrative Center (CEDEC) and theHumid Tropical Demonstrative Agro-forestry Center (CADETH)managed by the Program, research is continuing in agro-forest sys-tems, focused on fruit ad lumber trees, whether together with cacao,

Mariano Jiménez TalaveraEngineer

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock

Preface


ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 P R E F A C E


in pure plots, or as borders. In other activities, the implementation ofthe “Plantation Certification in the Atlantic Coast of Honduras” contin-ued, which prepared more than 400 Certificates of Plantations andUsage, these covered an area of more than 1,000 ha. and 214 km inborders, for an accumulated inventoried total of 591,651 plants.

Finally starting in April (2003) the “Protection and SustainableDevelopment of Micro-watersheds, Tributaries of the Aguan RiverThrough Fostering Agro-forest Systems” was initiated, which will bedeveloped during two and a half years, in various micro-watershed ofthe Tocoa and Taujica Rivers, in Tocoa, Colon.

Since its creation, the Diversification Program has concentrated itsefforts in promoting, researching and transferring technology in newcrops and during 2003 the greater emphasis has been in tropical rootsand tubers, black pepper and tropical and exotic fruit.

In order to eliminate some obstacles that have prevented diver-sification of crops in the Program development, during 2003, basedon the research planning activities of 2002, great emphasis was givento producing both fruit and spice vegetative material. Some the plantsproduced were: rambutan grafts, lichee and longan shoots, and seedplants for durian, mangosteen, cinnamon and nutmeg.

In searching for alternatives for coffee growers affected by the fallin coffee bean prices, the socio-economic and biophysical characteri-zation of the coffee areas initiated in 2002 continued in 2003 to estab-lish demonstrative plots with crops promoted by the Program. As aresult of these efforts, four plots of longan and lichee were establishedin several areas of the country.

During this year rambutan finally began to be exported to theUnited States market. FHIA collaborated in designing the packer, con-tacting buyers, identifying elite trees for a quality fruit harvest and inthe installation of the packer in the CEDEC grounds and the selectionof the fruits to be exported.

In vegetable production, there is a constant need for theresearchers and field technicians to constantly up-date regarding newvarieties and new technologies that from time to time appear in themarketplace. This is the main work of the Vegetable Program; it wasthe main thrust of the Program during 2003 and will continue to bethe focus during 2004. Even though the Program profile includesother crops, the greatest field research is done in the basic basketcrops produced in the valley of Comayagua, consisting of onions,tomatoes, and sweet, jalapeño and Tabasco peppers, with an evalua-tion of the varieties, and development of production technologies.The new promising varieties of crops that were identified during fieldtrials in 2002 were validated during 2003 and will be tested in 2004as far as their adaptability to seasons and location. This is done withinthe Program vision of allowing the Honduran producers to produceall year round using a combination of appropriate varieties, productiontechnologies such as drip irrigation during the dry season, floating cov-ers against insects and the climate, and the use of tunnels and nettedhouses for producing during the rainy season. In addition to vegeta-bles for the basic basket, the Program is also trying cool climate cropsthat can tolerate heat, such as cauliflower and lettuce.

The Program continues its work in supporting the export indus-try of oriental vegetables, specifically of various types of eggplant, ban-gaña, contemnor, the hairy cucumber and chives. Apart from the routine

but important work of perfecting production techniques, the Programis making special effort in the areas of integrated pest management,producing small piles, eggplant grafting on patterns resistant to nema-todes and soil diseases stocks, and a characterization of open pollenfertilization varieties in oriental vegetables.

The Program also continues to work in researching, validating andextended protected agriculture, which is the future tendency in veg-etable production. The appropriate varieties and technology for pro-ducing tomatoes and peppers in green houses in the Valley ofComayagua have been intensified and are in the final stages of valida-tion, even though the preliminary results were already given to theproducers. FHIA and its Vegetable Program recognize that protectedagriculture is the technology that is due to initiate in Central Americaand we will strive to be at the forefront of these innovative technolo-gies.

The Seed Program during 2003 is now being financed by PRO-MOSTA-SAG in a project that has as its objective to undertakeresearch and transfer of technology activities in rice crop in the area ofTocoa, Colon. This project receives technical and administrative assis-tance from FHIA in its effort to determine: appropriate varieties, plantprotection programs, weed control programs, and programs that areadequate to fertilization for the rice producers of the Atlantic Coast.

FHIA work with PROMOSTA financial support also continues inthe area of La Esperanza, Intibuca, concentrated in research and tech-nological transfer for an efficient production of fruits and vegetables inthe Honduran highlands. During this year a production and marketingenterprise was established with a group of associated partners.Research and extension continued in a wide range of highland cropsto support these producers. The effort will continue in 2004 and itseems to be heading to a rousing success with the creation of a prof-itable and stable production and marketing company, directed by theproducers.

The Department of Post-harvest has given its technical expertiseto the Banana and Plantain Program with a large revision and charac-terization of the post-harvest quality of hybrid bananas and plantainsthat the Program is developing. This work will continue even moreextensively in 2004. The important work of defining the ripening pro-tocols for the banana and plantain hybrids is almost constant. TheDepartment has provided and will continue to provide researchcapacity, especially in the programs that work with spoilable productssuch as fresh fruit and vegetables. To be continued the important workof un-greening tomatoes with ethylene for the local market, in proto-cols for string Ana apples produced in La Esperanza, Intibuca, in thebest age for harvesting jalapeño peppers, in the adequate systems forpost-harvest handling for a Wide range of fruits and vegetables pro-duced in the Honduran highlands, and for exotic fruit such as rambu-tan and longan, among others. There was a strong demand for tech-nical assistance and training in fruit and vegetable post-harvest handlingin 2003 by NGO’s that operate in Honduras and it is expected that itwill continue to be so in 2004.

It is difficult to summarize the work of the Plant ProtectionDepartment in any given year due to the great variety in experimen-tation and in searching for solutions for problems stemming from pro-viding Pathology, Entomology and Nematology services to all FHIA

7H O N D U R A N F O U N D A T I O N F O R A G R I C U L T U R A L R E S E A R C H

P R E F A C E ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

Thank you very much

Mariano Jiménez TalaveraEngineer

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock

Programs and projects. During 2003 the Plant Protection Departmentindependently managed various special projects in evaluating and dis-tributing banana and plantain hybrids and in export bananas. TheDepartment additionally provided consultancy and specializedresearch in a wide range of pathogens and pests such as for: blind henin strawberries, rapid life decline in melons, cacao Moniliasis, nema-todes and parasites in eggplants and many more. The Departmentprepared the research in literature for three evaluations in pest riskmanagement needed to request permission for the export of toma-toes, peppers, and sweet potatoes, presently in quarantine, fromHonduras to the United States. This activity will continue in 2004.

Another Department in the Technical Unit that provides serviceto a wide range of programs and projects is the Economy andMarketing Office. This office played a key role in the successful exportof rambutan towards the United States, and has continued to buildcapacity and connections to export Honduran products to the mar-kets of the United States and Europe. This office maintains feasibilitystudies for many crops in FHIA listings and of those that have coffeediversification potential.

The Agricultural Communications Center on the other hand,directed towards supporting technological transfer activities of FHIA,developed a wide range of support activities, including the promotionof services that are given to the national agricultural sector. Seven newtechnical documents on different crops were published, as well as a totalof 13 information sheets, through which technicians and producers are

informed of some of the progress being made in research. In 2003 thedissemination of research was intensified, with active participation inthe annual meeting of the Central American Cooperative Program ofImprovements in Crops and Animals (PCCMCA) where 28 researchpapers were presented; additionally 5 technical-scientific meetingswere prepared in different places of the country, during which themost relevant research results accomplished by the Foundation inrecent years was presented to a total of 531 participants.

A wide range of work was developed in the area of training witha total of 36 events in which 594 people participated, receiving train-ing in a wide variety of subjects related to the crops that theFoundation promotes.

During 2004 broadcasting of the technical information generatedand validated by the Foundation will augment, by increasing the pro-duction and distribution of reports, bulletins, information sheets andother technical publications. Additionally, there will be a greater elec-tronic outreach of technical documents through Internet, both withinand outside the country. There are plans for holding 3 technical-scien-tific meetings in other areas of the country, for augmenting trainingservices and plans to initiate publication of a FHIA Technical Magazinethat will have information on relevant research results.

Dear members, this is the way that FHIA once again is carryingout its planned activities. We expect to continue to work with enthu-siasm in our country’s agricultural development.


ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 P R E F A C I O


•PRESIDENTE Ing. Mariano Jiménez Talavera

Ministro de Agricultura y Ganadería

•VOCAL I Lic. Jorge Bueso Arias

Banco de Occidente, S.A.

•VOCAL II Ing. René Laffite

Frutas Tropicales, S.A.

•VOCAL III Ing. Sergio Solís

CAHSA

•VOCAL IV Dr. Bruce Burdett

ALCON, S.A.

•VOCAL V Ing. José Ayala

PROTEINA, S.A.

•VOCAL VI Ing. Basilio Fuschich

Agroindustria Montecristo

•VOCAL VII Sr. Norbert Bart

•VOCAL VIII Ing. Yamal Yibrín

CADELGA, S.A.

•ASESOR Ing. Roberto Villeda Toledo

•SECRETARIO Dr. Adolfo Martínez

Board of Directors 2003/2004

Dr. Adolfo MartínezGeneral Director

Dr. Dale T. KrigsvoldDirector of Research



P R E F A C I O ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004

Members of The Assembly 2003/04

Founding Members

* Miembro del Consejo de Administración

Secretaría de Agricultura y Ganadería *Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentación (FAO) Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el DesarrolloInternacional (USAID)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Secretaría de FinanzasTegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Asociación Nacional de Exportadores de Honduras (ANEXHON)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Instituto Nacional Agrario (INA)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Asociación Nacional de Campesinos de Honduras (ANACH)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Unión Nacional de Campesinos (UNC)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Escuela Agrícola Panamericana (EAP)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE)Turrialba, Costa Rica

Unión de Países Exportadores de Banano (UPEB)Panamá, Panamá

Universidad Privada de San Pedro SulaSan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Centro Universitario Regional del Litoral Atlántico(CURLA)La Ceiba, Atlántida

Colegio de Ingenieros Agrónomos de Honduras(CINAH)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Colegio de Profesionales de las Ciencias Agrícolasde Honduras (COLPROCAH)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Lic. Jorge Bueso AriasSanta Rosa de Copán, Copán

Ing. Roberto Villeda Toledo Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Ing. Yamal YibrínSan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Sr. Boris Goldstein (Q.D.D.G.)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Ing. Mario Nufio GameroTegucigalpa, M.D.C.




Banco Continental S.A.San Pedro Sula, Cortés

Inversiones y Servicios CRESSIDATegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Compañía Azucarera Hondureña, S.A. *(CAHSA)Búfalo, Cortés

Lovable de HondurasSan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Alimentos Concentrados Nacionales, S.A. *(ALCON)Búfalo, Cortés

HONDULITBúfalo, Cortés

Complejo IndustrialSan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Molino Harinero Sula, S.A.San Pedro Sula, Cortés

Banco Atlántida, S.A.San Pedro Sula, Cortés

B.G.A.Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Prof. Camilo Rivera Girón (Q.D.D.G.)San Pedro Sula, Cortés

Frutas Tropicales, S.A. *La Ceiba, Atlántida

Banco Mercantil, S.A.San Pedro Sula, Cortés

Asociación de Bananeros de Urabá (AUGURA)Medellín, Colombia

CAMOSASan Pedro Sula, Cortés

CADELGA, S.A. *San Pedro Sula, Cortés

Banco de Occidente, S.A. *Santa Rosa de Copán, Copán

Banco FUTUROSan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Banco Hondureño del Café (BANHCAFE)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Windward Islands Banana Growers Association (WINBAN)Castries, St. Lucía, Indias Occidentales

Programa Nacional de Banano OrtegaQuito, Ecuador

Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECDS/ACDU)Roseau, Dominica, Indias Occidentales

Grupo Bioquímico Mexicano (GBM)Saltillo, México

Caribbean Agricultural Research & Development Institute (CARDI)St. Augustine, Trinidad y Tobago

Banco del PaísSan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Agrícola Bananera Clementina, S.A.Guayaquil, Ecuador

Tropitec, S. de R.L.San Pedro Sula, Cortés

Bayer de Honduras, S.A.Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Banco FICOHSASan Pedro Sula, Cortés

FENORSASan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Boquitas Fiestas, S.A. de C.V.San Pedro Sula, Cortés

GRANEL, S.A.Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Banco Centroamericano de IntegraciónEconómica (BCIE)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

* Miembros del Consejo de Administración

Members oF the Assembly 2003/04

Donor Members

11



* Miembros del Consejo de Administración** Socio a partir del año 2004

Sr. Anthony CauterucciWashington, D.C.

Ing. Miguel Angel BonillaSan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Prof. Rodrigo Castillo AguilarDanlí, El Paraíso

Lic. Jane Lagos de MartelTegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Federación de Agroexportadores de Honduras (FPX)San Pedro Sula, Cortés

AGRICENSASan Pedro Sula, Cortés

FECADHTegucigalpa, M.D.C.

CROPLIFETegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Compañía Azucarera ChumbaguaSan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Industrias MolinerasSan Pedro Sula, Cortés

LEYDE, S.A.La Ceiba, Atlántida

MERCARIBESan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Accesorios Eléctricos y Controles (ACEYCO)San Pedro Sula, Cortés

CAYDESASan Pedro Sula, Cortés

LEHONSASan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Federación de Cooperativas Agropecuariasde la Reforma Agraria de Honduras(FECORAH)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Industrias SulaSan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Agroindustrial Montecristo *El Progreso, Yoro

Fundación FinacoopTegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Guarumas AgroindustrialSan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Lic. Henry Fransen Jr.San Pedro Sula, Cortés

Sr. Roberto Kattán MendozaEl Progreso, Yoro

Sr. Norbert Bart *San Pedro Sula, Cortés

TRANSAGRO, S.A.San Pedro Sula, Cortés

IHCAFETegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Proteínas y Grasas, S.A. (PROGRASA)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Federación Nacional de Agricultoresy Ganaderos de Honduras(FENAGH)Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.

Productos, Tecnología y NutriciónAnimal, S.A. de C.V. (PROTEINA)San Pedro Sula, Cortés

Agrico (Holanda)San Pedro Sula, Cortés

Viveros TropicalesSan Pedro Sula, Cortés

Agro VerdeLa Ceiba, Atlántida

BAPROSA, S.A.El Progreso, Yoro

Inversiones MejíaComayagua, Comayagua

Grupo Vanguardia, S. de R.L. de C.V.**San Pedro Sula, Cortés

Members of the Assembly 2003/04

Contributing Members

Honorary Members


Research and Transfer of

Technology



12


B A N A N A A N D P L A N T A I N P R O G R A M ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004


he year 2003 was very dynamic andfull of opportunities starting in themonth of January, when the New

Scientist magazine in their volume 177, pub-lished an article in which it stated a possibledisappearance in 10 years time of the com-mercial production of bananas. This infor-mation generated a lot of discussion andconcern in the mass media, in the scientificcommunity, among the producers and aboveall in the consumers.

The reason for this prediction wasbased on the susceptibility of the Cavendishvarieties to the Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.Cubense (FOC) race 4 fungus, which is theagent that causes the Panama disease, to theMycosphaerella fijiensis (MF) fungus, theagent that causes the black Sigatoka diseaseand various nematodes. The susceptibility ofthe Cavendish (Williams, Grand Nain, Valery and others) varietiesare big problems for the banana industry, since these varieties,represent 12% of the world production of bananas and almost100% of the types of bananas consumed as fresh fruit in NorthAmerica and Europe.

World opinion calmed down when they were informed thatthere are more than 500 varieties of bananas in the World; thatglobal production of bananas and plantains is of approximately 100billion tons and there are genetic improvement programs ofbanana and plantain such as FHIA, with 44 years experience,which through conventional improvements has been able todevelop banana and plantain hybrids that are resistant to the FOCand MF fungus, that are viable alternatives to continue producingmusaceae in the world.

Cuba at the commercial level is the country that is using moreof the FHIA improved varieties in an area of 17,000 hectares. Thesecond largest use of FHIA hybrids has been Brazil, since in 1998,black Sigatoka was reported in the North of that country. To datethere are some 1,200 hectares of the FHIA-18 and SH3640 typepome hybrids being cultivated there. The use of FHIA hybrids isexpected to increase as the black Sigatoka advances into the SouthEast part of that country.

Brazil is the third largest producer of musaceae, with a totalof 510,313 hectares under cultivation and an annual productionof 6,357,940 tons for domestic consumption. Eighty percent ofthe Brazilian production is concentrated on the silk and pomevarieties.

This controversy that arose about thesupposed end of banana production wasimportant for the FHIA Banana and PlantainProgram, since it afforded another opportu-nity at world level the value of having devel-oped musaceae hybrids resistant to pestsand diseases and recognition was also givenof the benefits the world has obtained fromthe distribution and use of FHIA hybrids.

The search for new alternatives to satis-fy the world market of musaceae has beenthe main research goal of FHIA s Banana andPlantain Program. Due to this in 2002 theFHIA-26 and SH-4001 hybrids were select-ed. During 2003 the organoleptic character-istics of hybrids was observed and it wasverified that these new materials can beplaced in new markets. The result of theseobservations indicates that FHIA-26 has a

new flavor and good texture. The SH-4001 hybrid has a high con-tent of Beta-carotene, precursor of vitamin A, and therefore canbe classified as nutraceatic type of healthy food.

Commercial producers are of the opinion that the commer-cial production of FHIA-26 and SH-4001 is viable, since they willhave consumer acceptance. This comment indicated to us thatdeveloping special bananas and plantains with high productivityand high resistance to pests and diseases will be one of our mainobjectives in the next years.

Applying new methodologiesStarting in 1975 a significant increase was obtained in the per-

centage of embryonic germination through the technique ofrecovering embryos from ripe seeds (see Figure 1), and since thenthis methodology has been used routinely in our Program.Nevertheless, in order to overcome genetic incompatibility con-straints, work is being done in early recovery of embryos, whichis the extraction of ovules 10 days after fertilization occurs (seefigure 2), since at this stage the abortion of fertilized ovules has nottaken place. By implementing this technique the production ofhybrid seed from cross breeding will be tried for those thathybrids have not been able to be produced or to increase seedproduction.

Juan Fernando Aguilar Morán, Ph.D.Leader of Banana and Plantain Program

Banana and Plantain Program

T


ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 B A N A N A A N D P L A N T A I N P R O G R A M


Increasing cross breeding plotsIn order to be able to make the cross breeding programmed

in the 2003 Operative Plan, an area of 6 hectares was uprooted,leveled, prepared and planted in the FHIA Dr. Phil RoweExperimental and Demonstrative Center (CEDPR) in La Lima,Cortes, Honduras. The planting of 8,255 plants of 41 varieties themajority of which were of the: Lowgate, Highgate, Prata Ana,FHIA-25, 3648, 3386, 3450, 3697, FHIA-17, FHIA-23, AVP-67 andPisang Awak varieties.

Producing hybrid seeds in open pollenization plots During 2002 the installation of 3 plots of top-cross cross-

breeding were done in order to produce female hybrid seed withgood agronomical characteristics but that were low in the pro-duction of seeds. During the present year 4,238 freely pollinatedwith diploids male bunches were harvested. The most outstand-ing result has been the production of the Dwarf French plantain,this short stature variety in 10 years of work had only produced 2hybrid plants.

In the three plots of open pollenization 68, 43 and 12 seedshave been obtained from 254, 41 and 17 pollinated bunches with

2989, 3142 and C-IV and from these seeds 3, 5 and 1 hybridplants respectively have been obtained. In the same cross breed-ing done by hand on 441 bunches of pollinated Dwarf French withimproved diploids, only 40 seeds were obtained from which 3hybrid plants have been produced.

Hybrid plant production From January to December 2003, some 21,887 bunches were

pollinated. From these pollinated bunches 19,970 bunches wereharvested and peeled for seed extraction. Seed production was of104,790. Hybrid plant production was of 14,858, of which 8,278have already been transplanted to a final field to evaluate yield.The remaining plants will be transplanted to a final field in 2004.The most outstanding occurrence in this whole pollenization cam-paign has been the introduction of Cavendish variety genes inFHIA improved diploid materials. In 2004, when field evaluationof these materials is done, the progress made in the developmentof Cavendish type of bananas for export can be verified.

Figure 2. Early recovery of embryos 10 days after fertilization has taken place.

Figure 1. Recovery of embryos of ripe seeds.

15

Evaluation of new experimental hybridsDuring 2003, in the CEDPR experimental field, 8,278 hybrid

segregated plants were planted. It is important to note that thenumber of hybrids being field evaluated in 2003 was five timesgreater than those planted in 2002, increasing thereby, the possi-bilities of finding new genetic materials. Table 1 shows the quanti-ties of the different types of hybrids which started being evaluat-ed in 2003. It can be noted that 67% of the hybrids being evalu-ated are diploids. Planting of these tests were done in a stagedfashion from April 24 up to the 27th of November. We do nothave yet any selected hybrids since the first tests planted are start-ing to flower, therefore in 2004 the evaluation of the first cycle ofproduction will be done.

Preliminary results The late Dr. Phil Rowe in 1996 obtained 3 plants from cross

breeding Lowgate x SH-3362. The progeny of this hybrid werenot selected as pre-commercial hybrids due to the bunch s lowyield and their susceptibility to black Sigatoka. In 2002, the threetetraploid progenies were cross bred with improved diploids and71 triploids were produced.




Figure 3. Low stature plants with good resistance to the black Sigatoka.

Table 1. Types of hybrids that were planted during 2003.

Hybrids Quantity plantedDiploids 5505Cooking 1216Plantains 1127Gros Michel 247Prata 139Pome 24Specials 20Total 8278




Figure 4. Evaluation of primers in agarose gel at 3.5% for maximization.

The segregation observed in 2003 was excellent, to thedegree that in the selection field 60% of the plants were of lowstature and had good resistance to the black Sigatoka (See figure3) and 40% were of normal plant stature. This result gives a goodindication that a Gros Michel type hybrid can be obtained with astature similar to that of the Cavendish varieties, with good yieldsand good resistance to diseases.

Program presentations In the CEDPR 30 national and international visiting groups

were hosted, they were interested in knowing the activities andprogress of the Program in the genetic improvement of bananaand plantain. At the national level, Program presentations weregiven in the FHIA technical-scientific workshops that took place inthe cities of Comayagua, Santa Rosa de Copan, Tegucigalpa,Juticalpa and La Ceiba. At the international level FHIA programpresentations of genetic improvement in banana and plantainwere done in the following events: • II Latin American Meeting of Eco-technologies for

Sustainable Development, II Encontro Latino Americano dosCentros de Ecotecnolog as para o DesenvolvimentoSustentable , in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, May, 2003.

• Genetic Resource Center (CENARGEN Portuguese acronym)of the Pesquisa Agr cola, Agricultural Research, BrazilianCompany, Brasilia, Brazil. May, 2003.

• National Mandioc and Fruit-culture Research Center CentroNacional de Pesquisa de Mandioca e Fruticultura (CNPMFPortuguese acronym), EMBRAPA. Cruz das Almas, Bahia,Brazil. May, 2003.

• The 2nd. Meeting of the Promusa Breeders Group.Coimbatore, India. June, 2003.

• Chiquita Brands Company. Cincinnati, United States. July,2003.

• Dole Fresh Honduras. La Lima, Honduras. August, 2003.• IV Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Research and

Development Center for Plantain and Banana for LatinAmerica and the Caribbean (MUSALAC). Guayaquil,Ecuador. August, 2003.

• V Brazilian Symposium on Banana Cultivation. I Musa GnomeWorkshop, V Simposio Brasileiro sobre Bananincultura. IWorkshop do Genoma Musa . Paracatu, Minas Gerais, Brazil.November, 2003.

FHIA/INIBAP ProjectSince June of 2001, FHIA is executing a joint project with the

International Network of Banana and Plantain Improvement (INI-BAP) from whom we have received the following contributions: $75,000 in 2001, $ 75,000 in 2002 and $100,000 in 2003. The mostimportant part of this project is the creation of 20 hybrids, includ-ing French plantain, cooking banana and export banana for LatinAmerica, Africa, and Asia. After two and a half years of execution,the following are the most important results:• Germ-plasma Bank Conservation: the Germ-plasma Bank

was re-located in a spot that is less vulnerable to flooding; ofthe 85 entries that were lost before or after HurricaneMitch, 22 entries were recovered, and 35 new entries wererequested to the Internal Transit Center (ITC).

• Germ-plasma Bank Characterization: in 2003 the taxonomiccharacterization of 109 entries was made.

• Improvement through hybridization: the production of 12hybrid plants from the proposed 20 cross breeding in theproject, and since June of 2003 the field evaluation of 596hybrid plants from 12 cross breeding have begun.

• Use of molecular markers in musaceaes: from the 15th ofNovember to the 15th of December 2003 training in the useof micro-satellites was done in the CENARGEN EMBRAPA,Brasilia, Brazil. During training 47 recommended micro-satellites for musaceaes were evaluated, from the 47 basepairs, only the first 12 showed polymorphism in agarose gelsat 3.5% (figure 4). Having received this training the needs inequipment and its cost were determined, procedures werelearnt, an operation cost of the technique were arrived atand now a concise idea of what this methodology can con-tribute to our genetic improvement has been reached.




Figure 5 shows the poly-acrilamide gel with the Calcutta IV,Pisang Awak, FHIA-26 and SH-3437 crops evaluated with the firstAGMI 24/25. This evaluation has allowed us to prove that the firstAGMI 24/25 continues to be the most useful in improvingmusaceaes, since it is related to the level of ploidia and shows thepresence and quantity of B gnome in the varieties being evaluated.

Technological transferConsultancies and Technical Assistance

During 2003 six consultancies were done that were importantto FHIA, within which the IICA/EPAD/USAID in Nicaragua Projectwas the greatest in duration and in funding for FHIA. On the otherhand, all the consultancies performed had an impact on the proj-ects or entities that contracted them, since due to the resultsobtained, they have all once again requested our services in 2004.Following is a summary of the consultancies and technical assis-tance done in 2003:

BAMER consultancy in HondurasThe consultancy for BAMER in 2002 to evaluate the status of

the Caimito Farm then led to a permanent consultancy during2003 entailing several monthly visits to five farms receivingBAMER financing.

Scope of the consultancies• In June of 2003 both BAMER and the Tela Railroad Company

in separate agreements, contracted FHIA services to evalu-ate the Caimito Farm.

• The BAMER contract was done for monthly consulting serv-ices from June to December.

• Among the technical assistance activities, the rehabilitation ofthe Caimito Farm, was initiated in July.

• In August a budget of investment and operations for the

Caimito Farm was prepared, and a cash flow statement anda cost/benefit analysis were done for the La Mesa Farm.

• In September rehabilitation was extended to the La MesaFarm as Bank property.

Turnbull Agro Industrial consultancySeparate from the BAMER consultancy, that includes this

farm, a consultancy was performed to evaluate the fito-toxicity inthe plantation.

Scope of the consultancy• Toxicity was found caused by the application of high dosages of

agricultural oil at the wrong time at the start of the dry season.• Certain affected areas were found to have bad drainage and

the plantation lacked a root system that was appropriate tosupport a lack of water and at the same time a lack ofbreathing capability due to the effect of the agricultural oil.

Productive San Vicente Project Lempa-Acahuapa, El Salvador, Irrigation District

This consultancy took place in October of 2003. The objec-tive was to identify agronomical aspects where plantain producersof the Lempa-Acahuapa Irrigation District, beneficiaries of theProject needed more support. Additionally, the Project is commit-ted and has the intention of technological transfer both to the pro-ducers and to the CENTA technicians and field experts of theMinistry of Agriculture of El Salvador.

During the consultancy a training course was given, as well astour workshops in different producers plots. A detail of the sub-jects presented are the following:• Managing the rebirth and selection of production shoots.• Managing seed beds.• Pruning little bunches in young fruit.

Figure 5. Widening the bands with the primer AGMI 24/25.

Field trip with San Vicente Productive Project producers,Valley of the Lempa —Acahuapa River, El Salvador.




• Irrigation and drainage.• Sigatoka control.• Fertilization.• Assistance on market Windows and construction of packers.

IICA/EPAD Project, NicaraguaAfter the first evaluation and consultancy given in February,

the IICA/EPAD requested a monthly consultancy, thereforeanother contract was signed in April for a monthly consultancy upto September.

Scope of the consultancy• Designing and installing irrigation in four demonstrative plots

in Rivas and Chinandega, Nicaragua.• Planting demonstration plots with five varieties of plantain.• Three presentations on plantains (Chinandega, Rivas and

Jinotepe) in conferences directed to the program objectivesof the IICA/EPAD Project of Nicaragua.

• Four training courses to producers of the Rivas andChinandega area.

• Direct technical assistance to the producers. • Selection of the pilot producers/farms.• Project objective: promote value added agri-business with

emphasis on exports.

FAO Project, EritreaMission and objectives of the project:

The mission was in conducting a technical evaluation of thebanana industry and conditions to produce quality fruit. TheProject objective was to support improvement of distribution tolocal markets and potentially guide the industry towards exportmarkets.

Market and quality ConditionsLocal markets.

• Asmara Capital city (population approximately 700,000).• Consuming 100% of banana produced.• The primary objective is to increase production and improve

infrastructure to supply other important cities.

Export Markets• Europe and the Middle East.• In the medium term the hope to improve quality and return

to exporting towards Europe entering Italy, Greece andTurkey.

• In the Middle East the markets are principally those ofKuwait and Saudi Arabia.

• Eritrea is geographically better placed for these markets thanare Central America, Asia and other African countries.

• A sea voyage takes 7 days to Italy, 5 days to Greece, Turkeyand Kuwait, and between 2-3 days to any port in Saudi Arabia.

Consultancy ScopeTraining.

• Two training courses.• Four field workshops to show producers and technical staff

improved crop practices and post harvest handling.• A study trip for Honduras with a group of Eritrean produc-

ers and Technicians.

Infrastructure• Construction of two packers, to process selected fruit in

boxes.• Construction of two refrigerated rooms to ripen bananas for

distribution in local markets.

Participants in the banana packing workshop at theAdiomer Farm in the province of Gash-Borka, Eritrea.

Field workshop with plantain producers on the Island ofOmetepe, Nicaragua.



During 2003 the cacao bean priceremained relatively stable with the

price ranging between US$ 1,400 and $1,750 per metric ton in the New YorkMarket, whereas the local per ton pricefluctuated between Lps. 24,200 and Lps.28,600. Nationwide, the entire cacao sectorcontinued to go through a crisis due to theMoniliasis disease (Moniliophthora roreri)that spreads faster under conditions of farmabandonment or deficient management.

Cacao production in agro-forestry systems

The Program seeking alternatives thatwould be more profitable for producers,mainly small holders with less than 5hectares under cultivation, continues toevaluate production systems where cacao is the major componentwithin an agro-forestry system focus, that is to say, associated withlumber species and tropical crops. This production model allowsthe producer to receive income from crops other than cacao inthe short and medium term, be they from temporary associatedcrops such as plantain and roots and tubers, among others, or inthe long term from lumber harvesting and sales.

In 2003, the experience with some lumber systems associat-ed with cacao was strengthened, by producing excellent quality

furniture using lumber from black laureltrees planted by the Program in the CacaoExperimental and Demonstrative Center(CEDEC), in La Masica, Atlantida, when itwas just starting work in the agro-forestryfield. These trees, harvested and evaluatedby the CUPROFOR Foundation, found theirphysical characteristics related to drying andhandling prior to industrial wood processing,to have yielded an average of 742 boardfeet/tree, which leads to an approximatetotal of 66,800 board feet/ha with a plantingdensity of 90 trees/ha.

A continuous priority of the Program isthe evaluation of agro-forestry systems builton associating cacao with traditional andnon-traditional lumber species with industri-al lumber potential. Of a total of 33

broadleaf species being evaluated, some 20 have been found tohave growth rates that make them attractive for using in associa-tion with this type of crop, within the conditions found along theAtlantic coast in this country. mahogany, cedar, black laurel, thegranadillo, the limba and the Juan guayape o, are some of the out-standing species that would increase producer s long term lumberincome, providing at the same time favorable conditions forcacao, giving it the shade required for its adequate handling.


Jesús Sánchez., M. Sc.Leader of Cacao and Agroforestry Program

Cacao and Agroforestry Program

Cedar (Cedrela odorata) 16 92 43.0 2.65 18.9 1.15 208 19,136Black laurel(Cordia megalantha) 16 92 48.0 2.95 23.2 1.40 318 29,256Black Laurel (Cordia megalantha) 9 75 27.7 3.05 14.5 1.60 68 5,038Mahogany(Swietenia macrophylla) 9 92 19.2 1.90 12.9 1.30 24 2,208San Juan guayape o(Tabebuia donnell-smithii) 8 62 34.3 4.20 16.6 2.00 120 7,440Red Granadillo (Dalbergia glomerata) 8 92 17.4 2.15 12.4 1.48 22 2,024Blue flower (Vites gaumeri) 8 92 20.1 2.45 10.7 1.28 26 2,419Limba (Terminalia superba) 6 67 32.8 5.40 15.5 2.50 122 8,174

Behavior of some forest species associated with cacao. CEDEC, La Masica, Atlantida, 2003.

Associated species Age(years)

Trees perha

DCH1(cm)

AAI2in DCH

Height(m)

AAIHeight

(m)Vol.3

B.F./treeVol.

B.F./ha

1Diameter at chest height 2 Average annual increase 3Volume in board feet


ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 C A C A O A N D A G R O F O R E S T R Y P R O G R A M


The red granadillo, the barbade jolote and cacao sharing thesame agro-ecological require-ments, are ideal species foragro-forestry systems, withinthe conditions found in theAtlantic coast and on thefringes of the low coffee areasof the country.

16 years after the first agro-forestry field activities, the Program has strengthened its experiences harvesting the firsttrees with which furniture that is widely accepted in the local market is being manufactured.

Controlling Cacao MoniliasisSince its first appearance of moniliasis in the year 2000, cacao

production has decreased considerably at national level. The lackof raw material has caused the only cacao industrial plant inHonduras to be in a precarious situation; it is working at 22% ofits capacity, that of 5 thousand metric tons a year. FHIA, with thefinancial backing of the Modernization of Technical AgriculturalServices Project (PROMOSTA), continues to look for alternativesto control this disease. Timely handling practices, mainly pruning,shade regulation and periodic picking of sick fruit (once and even

twice a week during the rainy season), continues to be the mostcost effective way of controlling the disease, within the strategy ofcoexisting with the pathogenic. This control mechanism, afford-able for the producers and compatible with environmental pro-tection, has shown that 955 kg of dry cacao can be produced perhectare, which is very profitable for producers of this crop.Thanks to these results, some producers have recovered theirconfidence and interest in this crop, and some are even plantingnew, although in small scale, due to a lack of financial resources.



C A C A O A N D A G R O F O R E S T R Y P R O G R A M ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004

21

The cacao moniliasis, a disease that only attacks the fruit,can cause the total loss of production in neglected or verybadly managed plantations.

Exchanging experiences among producers, taking advantageof the demonstration plots for moniliasis control, has been adetermining factor in the process of technological transfer forcontrol of this disease.

The positive results generated by two years of work in thefield, are being transferred to producers interested in continuingwith this crop. Demonstrative plots have been set-up with someof them, as an important tool in the task of technological transfer.

During this period efforts have been made to find geneticmaterial that tolerates this pathogenic, as part of integrated man-agement. After two years of keeping records within natural inoc-

ulation conditions, some of these materials show low levels ofincidence of disease and good production, in contrast with othersthat have a low production and a high prevalence of sick fruit. Insome cases, within the same crossbreeding some resistant andsusceptible trees are identified, and the propagation of resistanttress then takes place by grafting and therefore will be available inthe medium term.

ARF-22 x UF-273 485 85 2 2

UF-712 x PA-169 377 78 2 2

ARF-22 x UF-273 204 46 0 0

PA-169 x ARF-6 95 46 4 1

UF-712 x PA-169 30 42 1 2

CC-137 x ARF-37 288 40 0 0

CrossbreedingTreeNo.

Healthy

No. of harvested fruit

Moniliasis

% ofMoniliasis

Materials with low production and high moniliasis incidence inCEDEC, La Masica, Atlantida. Period March/02 — December/03.

ICS-95 x ARF-22 677 15 37 71

FCS-A2 x CCN-51 412-b 7 35 83

CC-137 x ARF-37 134 19 27 59

FCS-A2 x CCN-51 211 2 24 92

CrossbreedingTreeNo.

Healthy

No. of harvested fruit

Moniliasis

% ofMoniliasis

Outstanding materials in production and low incidence in monil-iasis in the CEDEC, La Masica, Atlantida. Period March/02 —December/03.




The guajiniquil (Inga vera) shows great potential as an energyspecies in poor soil conditions with high rain-fall such as thoseof CADETH, La Masica, Atlantida.

Evaluation of fire-wood production, with different species, in CADETH, La Masica, Atlantida.

Guajiniquil (Inga vera) 240 12,000 180 9,000 150 7,500

Carbon (Mimosa schomburgkii) 380 19,000 260 13,000

Black guama (Inga punctata) 460 23,000 78 3,900 217 10,850

Specie Load/ha Income/ha

1st. Cut1 (2 years)

Load/ha Income/ha

2nd. Cut (4 years)

Load/ha Income/ha

3rd. Cut (6 years)

11 Load = 100 pieces of fire wood of 80 cm and weighing approximately 0.6 kg.2 Sale price Lps. 50.00/load.

Hydrographical watershed protection and managementThe maintenance and development of activities in CEDEC

and in the Humid Tropical Demonstrative Agro-forestry Center(CADETH), continues to be the Program priority. Experiencegained during 16 years at these centers on forest management,including certification of forest plantations, have strengthened theProgram, which presently has a leading role in developing projectsdirected towards agro-forestry and water conservation, as well asothers of a general nature such as soil and biodiversity.

Seen from this perspective, in 2003 the Protection andSustainable Development of Micro-watersheds, Tributariesof the Aguan River Through Fostering Agro-forestrySystems initiated, financed by the European Union for a 30month period. The Project area of influence includes 10 microwatersheds of the Tocoa and Taujica rivers that are Aguan Rivertributaries. Directed towards 350 families mainly involved in sub-sistence farming, living on hill-side terrain, based on the slash andburn practice for basic grain planting in small areas and extensivecattle raising.

Through a highly participative process, and with the participa-tion of personnel from the Tocoa Municipality and other commu-nity leaders, the Project was made known, this in turn, has result-ed in the communities organizing themselves into committees,water and energy boards, among others, who are all supportingactivity development.

Liaison producers, both men and women, selected by thecommunities themselves because of their leadership qualities,received intensive training in different subjects (15 modules), as aprerequisite in search of a multiplying effect by means of produc-er to producer training and technical transfer. The training of pro-ducers involved in their own communities and in CEDEC andCADETH facilities is a Project priority, as well as technical assis-tance and supplying propagation materials to establish commercialplots (agro-forestry and forestry), in the participating farms of theproducers of both genders. Additionally, as an incentive directedto micro watershed protection, advice and economic support isgiven to install 6 micro-turbines to generate electricity in the samenumber of communities.

Evaluating fire-wood producing speciesMore than 8 million cubic meters of lumber are consumed

annually in Honduras as a source of energy (fire-wood), theseare extracted from conifers and from the remains of broadleafforests and guamiles, but there are no cases where the usershave been concerned about cultivating trees for this purpose.This uncontrolled extraction is another way of affecting the for-est resource and other resources closely linked to it, such aswater and biodiversity. Therefore, ever since the first CADETHactivities, the Project has been evaluating some broadleafspecies with a high potential for energy use, such as those of theInga genus (guama). After six years in which three cutting s havetaken place of some of the species being evaluated, the conclu-sion reached is that cultivating for fire-wood in the Atlanticcoastal conditions of the country, is more profitable than culti-vating basic grains, therefore this is an alternative for many pro-ducers located on hillsides that are not too distant from com-munities and urban centers where there is a large demand forthis resource, both for family as well as for industrial consump-tion (for example for bakeries and lime quarries).


C A C A O A N D A G R O F O R E S T R Y P R O G R A M ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004


As complimentary activities to naturalresource protection of the micro watersheds, theProject is supporting the communities with adviceand materials for installing latrines, chicken coops,pens for breeding pigs, water catchments and theconstruction of fire-wood saving stoves.

Socialization among inhabitants of the areaand the community leaders, including otherprojects in the area, is the best guarantee forProject goal achievement.

Training men and women, within the model of hands-on learning is aProject priority.

Transporting plants from the farm or plot siteestablished, involves great effort and time bythe producers and support technicians invol-ved in this activity.

Neighbours from benefited communities participate enthusiastically ininstalling the micro-hydro turbines. Tocoa, Colon, 2003.




Another support for participating communities is setting theboundaries of micro watersheds, implementing manage-ment plans and the administrative procedures with theauthorities for their Declaration of Protection .

Forest plantation certificationWith the support of the Canadian Government, the process

of Certifying Forest Plantations continued during 2003, under theagreement with the State Forestry Administration-HonduranForestry Development Corporation (AFE-COHDEFOR), begunin 2002.

During 2003, 313 forestry or agro-forestry plots were certi-fied covering an area of 1,223 ha and 272 km in boundaries, for atotal of 548,852 trees, planted mainly by small producers and cat-tlemen. This project, which is a ground-breaker in the country,has caused great interest, and many farmers and cattlemen havebecome interested in taking care of their plots (pure or associat-ed) or in starting new plantations of lumber species, as they feelsure of the eventual benefits of this activity.

The lack of incentives for investment in the forestry field andabove all, the lack of security for investments because of nonexisting legal documents to guarantee the use of the productsobtained, has become a large obstacle and a limiting factor for re-forestation initiatives, whether they aresmall or medium producers, as well assome entrepreneurs interested in thistopic. On the contrary, the security ofknowing that in the long term they canbenefit from this activity becomes theprincipal incentive to start actions in thisfield.

A total (2002-2003) of 432 dossierswere prepared covering an area of 1,504hectares and 342 km for a total of655,852 plants with traditional species(mainly mahogany and cedar) and non-traditional ones that have industrial lum-ber potential.

Women demonstrated their leadership in the countries sil-viculture activities. Ing. Gustavo Morales, Manager of AFE-COHDEFOR, hands a certificate to a silvicultureress.

Mahogany and cedar,in spite of the damagecaused by the mothlarvae (Hypsiphyla

grandella), continue tobe the species pre-ferred among pro-ducers and cattle-men to establishplots of a single spe-cies, in associationwith other species oras borders.

The Project also supports communities in setting theboundaries of the micro water-shed and in the processneeded for the Declaration of Protection process, withState entities involved in these functions.




The Diversification Program has as itsmain objective creating and transferring

technology for domestic, regional and inter-national markets for non-traditional crops.With this focus in mind, during 2003 theProgram focused on the following activities:

1. Characterization of some coffeeregions established at more than 1,000meters above sea level, in whichdemonstrative plots were establishedwith fruit varieties such as: Lychee(Litchi chinensis), Longan (Dimocarpuslongana) and highland avocado (Perseanubigena var. guatemalensis L), in orderto promote crop diversification.

2. FHIA participated actively by present-ing the results of research at the annu-al Central American CooperativeProgram of Improvements in Crops and Animals (PCCMCA)and in the FHIA Technical Meetings, that took place in thecities of Comayagua, Santa Rosa de Copan, Tegucigalpa,Juticalpa and La Ceiba.

3. Work was done on small scale production of Malaysian yel-low dwarf coconut, which is resistant to lethal yellowing(85%), to contribute in replanting some of the beaches in theNorth Coast, where that disease has almost entirely wipedout native and cultivated coconuts of that area. The mothernursery for FHIA production of coconuts has started its stageof nut production, which has the capacity of producingapproximately some 100,000 nuts per year.

4. The export activities for rambutan were supported from thearea of La Masica, Atlantida, after the AgricultureDepartment of the United States authorized the entry of thistropical fruit.

5. Some research was done on roots and tubers and technicalassistance was provided to some producers that are involvedin the crops that the Program promotes.

Tropical roots and tubers During 2003 some experiments were established in tropical

root and tuber crops, especially in yucca and Eddoe malanga.Following is a summary of the most important results obtained inthe different experiments.

Effect of the position of the stalk on the yield and qualityof yucca (Manihot esculenta) Valencia variety

Producers have different ideas on the manner of planting thevegetation material (stalk) according to the experience of each

one of them; however, independently of theposition of the stalk at planting, this is alsoinfluenced by soil, climate, variety and otherfactors. In order to determine what effectthe position of the stalk at planting has overthe yield, an experiment was done in whichthree different treatments were evaluated:inclined planting, vertical planting and hori-zontal planting.

Results indicated that there were no sig-nificant differences between the three studypositions in yields for export yucca.Nevertheless, it was observed that ininclined planting there was a larger percent-age of roots with export characteristics withno physical damage (6.38 t/ha), compared tothe horizontal planting that produced thelargest amount of broken roots and dam-aged peduncles (5.48 t/ha). Due to the

above, and even though the results do not show significant differ-ences, if the product destination is exporting, inclined planting isrecommended and for industrial purposes, any of the three meth-ods evaluated.

Table 1. Exportable weight of the yucca harvest.

The effects of three types of seed in the yield and qualityof Eddoe malanga

(Colocasia esculenta var. Antiquorum)During the Eddoe malanga harvest a great number of tubers

do not reach export size and were rejected. In some cases, someproducers use them for planting for the next harvest. In order toevaluate the effect of this type of seed on the quality of the malan-ga produced, experimental plots were established in which theseed material used were the main tuber, the tubers called sistersand those that were rejected for export. The results obtainedindicate that it is not adequate to use export rejected tubers ofEddoe malanga, since only a low percentage (11%0 of first classtubers are produced, in comparison with 28 and 26% producedby the main tuber and the sister sections respectively.

José Alfonso, Ing.Leader of Diversification Program

Diversification Program

NumberofTreatments

Treatment Weight average in t/ha

1

2

3

C.V.=13.60%

Inclined plantingVertical plantingHorizontal planting

6.38 a

6.12 a

5.48 a

Cultivating gingerDuring 2003 some 24.5 hectares of ginger were planted in

the area of Combas, Department of Yoro, distributed among20-25 farmers, achieving exports of some 17 containers of 700boxes each of very good quality rhizomes to the United States.The average price per box at the packing site was of Lps.120.00. The challenge is that this successful experience shouldbe repeated in other areas of the country, since there is a mar-ket for 50-100 containers per year that could be accessed bythe Honduran producers.

Black pepper cultivationThe pepper sector of Honduras is made up of some 40 pro-

ducers with plantations distributed in four areas (La Ceiba andTela in the Department of Atlantida, and Yojoa and Merendon inthe Department of Cortes). There are at present some 90 ha. ofblack pepper of which 70% are producing. The product is mar-keted locally and in this process 800 families are directly benefit-ed in the four areas mentioned above.

In 2003 black pepper producers under contact were assistedin the area of Lake Yojoa, as is explained in the following detail:a) Tencoa, located in the Bartolo Hamlet, Santa Cruz de Yojoa.b) Anaeliut, located in the Santa Elena Hamlet, Santa Cruz de

Yojoa.c) El Tigre, located in the El Tigre Hamlet, Pe a Blanca, Santa

Cruz de Yojoa.d) Las Delicias, located in the Las Delicias Hamlet, Merendon,

San Pedro Sula. The technical assistance activities and technological transfer

recommended for the four farms emphasized planting stakes,pruning to shape, selection of propagation material, harvestingand milling.

Survey done to the black pepper pro-ducers located in: La Ceiba and Tela inthe Department of Atlantida and Yojoa

in Cortes. In order to know the present situation of

the black pepper item in the main producingareas, during 2003 a survey was made, ofwhich the most relevant data is shown below:


ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 D I V E R S I F I C A T I O N P R O G R A M


Hermana Sección Cormelo

Factors La Ceiba(7)

Yojoa(8)

Total area (ha)% of new area

(2000-2003)

% of old area

(1989-1999)

19.43

58.55

41.45

18.2

57.70

42.30

Table 2. Area cultivated by the surveyed producers in the three regions.

Tela (6)9.1

88.46

11.54

( ) Number of producers surveyed by area.

La Ceiba Yojoa

85.71

57.14

28.57

14.29 Q

85.71 M

85.71

85.71

75

87.5

37.5

25 Q

75 M

87.5

75.00

Table 3. Crop handling practices.

Tela

100

100

66

100 M

100

66.66

Q=Chemical M=Manual

Handling practices

Fertilization (%)Pruning (%)Irrigation (%)

Weed control (%)

Shade regulating(%)

Registers (%)

Figure 1. Types of Eddoe malanga seed.

The results indicate that the producers of the Tela, Atlantidaarea, are those that are best managing their plantations, eventhough they have to improve their irrigation supply and in themanagement of accounting and production registers


D I V E R S I F I C A T I O N P R O G R A M ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004


Sub tropical fruit Characterization of two longan plants Haew var.

Continuing with the work of characterizing available longancrop varieties, the production of two trees of the Haew varietywas evaluated, the only plants in three longan varieties in theFHIA farm that have fruit; following is the data:

Table 4. Number of fruit per pound of the Haew variety of longan.

The number 1 tree is of first harvest, on the other handnumber 2 is in its third harvest.

Table 5. Weight in grams of bunch, fruits and brancheswith fruit of two longan plants. Haew var. (aver-age of 8 bunches evaluated per plant).

1

2

42

6819.57

21.15

Factor evaluated

Weight of bunch (g)

Number of fruit per bunch

Weight of fruitwithout branch (g)

Weight of branch (g)

Tree number 1

702

69

24.2

56

Tree number 2

317

39

9.0

64

Longan bunches in the tree.

Taking data on longan fruit.

Establishing of five demonstrative plots of subtropical fruit.

In the area of Siguatepeque two demonstrative plots of lycheeand longan were established in the following farms: 1. Beula Ranch in the El Achiote Hamlet, Siguatepeque,

Comayagua. In this farm 70 lychee stakes were planted and50 stakes of longan.

2. Rittenhouse Farm, located in Siguatepeque, Comayagua.Some 25 lychees (20 of the Kwai Mai Red variety and 5 WaiChee) and 30 longan (20 of the Haew variety and 10 Kohala)

Litchi Longan

3. In the area of Lake Yojoa, in the community of San BuenaVentura, Cortes, another plot was established of 30 longanplants and 30 lychee plants.

4. In the area of Lake Yojoa, in the community of San BuenaVentura, Cortes, another plot was established of 30 longanplants and 30 lychee plants.in the communities of Agua Fria,Municipality of San Sebastian, Lempira, and in the San AntonioHamlet, Municipality of Colohete in the same Department,two demonstrative plots were established with the support ofa non-governmental organization with its headquarters inGracias , Lempira. In these two communities a total of 26plants were planted, 13 longan plants and 13 lychee plants.

Brix Degrees (%)(Average in 30 fruits)

Tree number

Number of fruits


ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 D I V E R S I F I C A T I O N P R O G R A M

Highland avocadoAccording to data from a national importer, Honduras has

imported from Mexico in some years between 9 and 10 milliondollars of avocado fruits. Our country possesses highland areas inLa Paz and Intibuca, as well as in Merendon, Cortes, with a cli-mate that is suitable for this crop to be established. Presentlythere is interest in public and private organizations to foster thecultivation in some areas, especially in coffee growing areas, as adiversification alternative and import substitution. Based on theabove information, it is estimated that in order to supply domes-tic demand it is necessary to plant some 1,500 ha. The necessarycontacts have been made to import the material needed andareas have been located to set up demonstrative plots.

Tropical fruit Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum)

Motivated by the possibilities of exporting to the US market,many rambutan producers are requesting plants of the varietiesimported by FHIA from Australia and Hawaii, to have a larger vol-ume of production and to have fruit of the quality required by theNorth American market.

In order to increase the production of grafted plants of thevarieties requested, FHIA has installed a section in the nurseriesestablished in the Cacao Experimental and Demonstrative Center(CEDEC), in La Masica, Atlantida, a plastic cover to protect thegrafts from the rain, and thereby increasing considerable the pro-duction of grafted plants during all the year.

Hass avocado graft.

Fuerte avocado graft.





The Vegetable Program is dedicated togenerating, validating and transferring

technology in warm climate vegetablecrops. It is based in the Comayagua Valley,where for several years there has been agreater production of vegetables for thedomestic and export markets. The crops onwhich a greater emphasis was placed wereonions, tomatoes, sweet and jalape o pep-pers and Chinese vegetables, mainly egg-plant and banga a, though some researchwas done on other diversification cropssuch as Chinese melon, and warm climatelettuce and cauliflower.

This year s research was directed to theareas of nutrition, irrigation, sowing sys-tems, and protected vegetable productionin green houses, tunnels and validating newvarieties.

The effect of four levels of nitrogen fertilization in the yields and quality of Jaguar cv onions

Nitrogen is an element that promotes greater growth inonions and together with potassium improves bulb qualities.Studies conducted, and recommendations from other countrieshave determined that onions require between 100-200 kg. ofnitrogen per hectare in conventional gravity irrigation systems.However, due to the efficiency of fertigation in drip irrigation,smaller quantities are recommended.

Response curve to the applications of nitrogen in onions

In order to determine the effect ofnitrogen in the growth and quality of theJaguar cv onion, four level of fertilizationwere evaluated, 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ofnitrogen/ha, applied in the drip irrigation sys-tem, plus a general basic application of 30kg/ha.

The 70 kg/ha (40 kg in drips + 30 kg/hain basic application) application of nitrogenresulted in a 14% increase in the commer-cial yields on the lower level of 30 kg/ha ofBasic application. The higher levels increasedthe size of the bulb, but not the commercialyield. This is important for export to theUnited States that only requires large sizes.

The effect of three irrigation frequen-cies in the yield and quality of the

Mercedez cv onionOnion crops have a superficial root system that is very sensi-

tive to water level fluctuations in the soil and therefore, the qual-ity and yields are affected when there are changes in the frequen-cy of irrigation.

In order to evaluate the effect of water availability in the soilon the yield and quality of the Mercedez cv onion type, an exper-iment with three daily irrigation frequencies, and twice a week inloamy to loamy-clay soil.

Commercial yields were significantlyhigher in the daily frequencies (7%) andthat of three per week (6%), compared tothe twice a week frequency. These differ-ences were because in these treatments alarger production of larger bulbs (first >3.0 and second = 2.5-3.0 diameter) anda lower yield of smaller bulbs wasobtained.

This is important for export marketsthat require a larger bulb size.

Denis Ramírez, Ph.D.Leader of Vegetable Program

Response curve to the applications of nitrogen in onions.

Vegetable Program


ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 V E G E T A B L E P R O G R A M

30

The effects of applying molasses, bocashi tea and Biocat 15in the yields and quality of the Mitla cv Jalape o pepper

Application of organic corrections in agricultural production isquite widespread in the Valley of Comayagua. Cane molasses arebeing used in vegetable cultivation because of their nematocideeffect and as a microbe activator in the soil. Additionally it helps inthe washing of the drip irrigation lines. The organic teas on theother hand, such as the bocashi tea contain macro and micro ele-ments, bacteria, fungus and other micro-organisms that are antag-onistic to the pathogenic micro-organisms.

Biocat 15 is an organic-biologic fertilizer that according to themanufacturer contains 67% of organic materials, 15% of humusand fluvic acids, and micro-elements.

The individual and combined effect of molasses (20liters/ha/week), bocashi tea (100 liters twice a week/ha) andBiocat 15 (50 liters/ha) on yields and quality of Mitla cv Jalape opepper were evaluated.

The bocashi tea increased commercial yields by 10% butthere was o positive reply to the remainder of the treatments.This is a practice that can very well be implemented by the pro-ducers and that will possible result in long range benefits.

The effect of six levels of nitrogen on the yields of thebanga a (Lagenaria siceraria) crop

The banga a produces an excessive vegetative growth, whichconstitutes a restraint in pest control. Therefore, periodic workhas to be done in cutting leaves and vines to allow pesticides topenetrate to the places where they are located.

Nitrogen is the element that most influences vegetativedevelopment and specifically in the size of the leaves, for that rea-son, the effect of six levels of nitrogen were evaluated, 0, 50, 100,150, 200 and 250 kg/ha, applied in fertigation, in the yields andvegetative development of banga a.

The yields that were obtained were high (43.7 to 46.1 t/ha)and the variability levels of the experiment were low (9.15%).There was no result in yield or plant growth as a result of thenitrogen dosages. The lack of a reply was due possibly to the factthat the terrain had received a base application that resulted in 50kg of nitrogen/ha.

These results suggest that under thepresent condition of fertilization of thesesoils (1.95% of organic material) the baseapplication of 50 kg/ha nitrogen is sufficientto raise an acceptable harvest. Small yieldincrements could be obtained with apply-ing additional nitrogen.

The effect of Surround (kaolin) in the yields and in fruitdamaged by sunburn in Chinese melon, Century cv

Stress in the plants caused by sun radiation during the hottesthours of the day is a constraint in the Chinese melon yields.Additionally, the fruits are damaged directly which severelyreduce commercial fruit.

In order to reduce the effect of direct solar radiation onChinese melon, Surround was evaluated, this is a commercialproduct based on a kaolinitic clay. The treatments were: 1) appli-cations only to the leaves (four applications in the vegetativestage), 2) only applied to the fruit (three applications), 3) applica-tions to the leaves and the fruit (seven applications) and, 4) con-trol: covering the fruits with straw.

The treatment results were greater commercial yields in theseven applications made to leaves and fruit, which produced 22.2t/ha, at 6.8 t above the control which produced 15.4 t/ha. In sec-ond place in yield was from the application made only on theleaves in the vegetative phase, that produced yields of more than3.9 t/ha than the control.


Table 1. Increase in the commercial yields of the Mercedez cv onion due to theeffect of the frequency of irrigation, CEDEH, Comayagua.

Irrigation Frequency

DailyThree times a week

Twice a week

Comercial >2.5”

7.7

6.3

0.0

Percentage of increase in bulb size>3.0”

11.8

10.0

0.0

>3.5”

30.3

27.4

0.0

Banga a with an adequate vegetative development


V E G E T A B L E P R O G R A M R E F A C I O ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004

31

These results suggest that the application of Surround on theleaves produces an anti-stressing action in the plant. Treatmentmade only on the fruits produced commercial yields similar tothose of the control. It was also noted that greater commercialyields were also related to greater total yields and to greateramounts of fruits.

Evaluating chemical and biological insecticides in trips(Thrips tabaci) control, in the Texas

Grain 438 cv onion crops. Experiments performed by FHIA demonstrate that trips is

the onion pest that has the highest effect on reducing yields of thiscrop. In order to find effective alternatives to control this pest, anexperiment was performed in order to evaluate the efficacy ofthree chemical insecticides, a biologic based insecticide, a veg-etable extract that is a repellent and an anti-stressing with insec-ticide action in trips (Thrips tabaci) in onion crops.

The treatments with Vydate L and Abakob 20 were thosethat effectively controlled trips population, maintaining thembelow the critical levels of 0.75 trips/leaf. Additionally, thesetreatments occurred where the highest commercial yields werereported, 17.6 t/ha and 16.0 t/ha, respectively, compared to thecontrol that produced only 9.2 t/ha.

A partial analysis of cost results in that the use of these prod-ucts represents a considerable increase in income which justifiesits use in comparison to the other treatments.

View of different treatments with applications of surround.

Trips are one ofthe mostdamagingpests inonions.





During 2003, FHIA continued to under-take research and technology transfer

activities en the area of La Esperanza,Intibuca, where for more than 12 years ithas provid ed these services to small andmedium producers that are involved in tem-perate climate vegetable and fruit produc-tion for the domestic market.The work done in 2003 was made possibleby financing received from theModernization of Technical AgriculturalServices Project (PROMOSTA) of theMinistry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG),through a mutual agreement contract withFHIA and benefited producers. Followingare some of the most relevant resultsoccurred during the indicated year.

Improving productivity of cold climate vegetables project

The objective of this Project is to increase the productivity,competitivity and the quality of 22 different cold climate vegeta-bles, produced through a technology transfer system that hasbeen developed, validated and adapted to the conditions preva-lent with those producers with products directed to the domes-tic market.

This Project influences 14 communities in the Department ofIntibuca (El Pelon, Los Encinos, Mixcure Centro, Planes Mixcure,El Naranjo Mixcure, Zacate Blanco, El Membrillo, AzacualpaYamaranguila, Azacualpa Centro, Santa Catarina, Yamaranguila,

Copantillo, Nuevo Tabor and Maracia) andtwo communities in the Department of LaPaz (Opatoro y Corintio), where 22 differ-ent types of cold climate vegetables aresupported, in an area of approximately 45hectares.

In order to achieve the proposedobjective, technical assistance is offeredthrough direct visits to organized groups,courses, seminars, field trips, trade missionsand in establishing demonstration plots,where the results of research activities arebeing validated.

During 2003 support was given to 149small producers, of which 67 are membersof the Intibuca Producers of Vegetables andFruits Association (APRHOFI), which wasformed so that their members not only beinvolved in the production but also in mar-

keting their products.Of these producers, 90% are lenca indigenous people, of

which 30% are women. The average area cultivated by each oneduring the year is of 7,000 square meters, and 75% of these haveirrigation. Besides the training activities, 1,020 direct farm visitswere carried out to give technical recommendations in managingvegetables crops. Additionally 11 Vegetable Demonstrative Plotswere established where 111 producers were trained during 11field days.

Antonio Romero, Ing.Leader FHIA La Esperanza

FHIA in La Esperanza

Table 1. Training events that took place during 2003.

No. of events

Short course on cold climate vegetable production2

12411

1

12

Short course on potato productionOrganic agriculture courseSeminar on post harvest handling of vegetablesShort course on the use and handling of pesticidesSeminar on the importance of producers getting organizedfor agricultural developmentShort course of market strategies for fresh vegetable producers

47

16 32 623128

20

236

Organization

Marketing

Subject Area Training Events

Production technology

Total

TrainedProducers


F H I A I N L A E S P E R A N Z A ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004


In order for the producers to get to know the quality require-ments of the markets and supermarkets of the city of San PedroSula, Cortes, five Marketing Trips were done to get the requiredinformation, which was fundamental to the APRHOFI producersto obtain to adequately satisfy their clients requirements.

An important aspect to highlight is that gradually the numberof producers that have accounting registers and productionrecords of their particular farms is increasing. Additionally, inorder to sustain the production process and in the conservation ofnatural resources, 1,240 lineal meters of live barriers have beenestablished as well as the construction of individual terraces in 2.1hectares for planting cold climate vegetables.

En the period between October and December of 2003, pro-ducers were able to sell 176,159 pounds, 28,539 units and 28,808

bunches of the different vegetables produced, for a total value ofLps. 754,538. These vegetables have been distributed in SanPedro Sula supermarkets and markets through the marketingcompany of the Intibuca Producers of Vegetables and FruitsAssociation (APRHOFI), which began operations in 2003 with thefinancial support of the European Union within the framework ofthe Marketing and Transformation of Agricultural ProductsSupport Project (PROACTA).

Technology transfer project for highland fruitThis Project was also executed starting in March of 2003 with

the financial support of PROMOSTA, through a special contractthat will last for two years. The general objective of this Project isto promote agricultural diversification in the highlands of thecountry, introducing and distributing quality fruit trees in order todevelop a technical and diversified fruit production that would alsoinclude the high coffee growing areas.

Project area of influence includes 15 communities of 3Departments. In Intibuca it includes the communities of LaEsperanza, Intibuca, Masaguara, Otoro, San Juan and SanMiguelito; in the Department of Lempira, San Andres, Gualcinseand Piraera; and, in the Department of La Paz the communities ofMarcala, Yarula, Santa Elena, Santa Ana, Opatoro and Guajiquiro.In all these communities the following five fruits are promoted anddeveloped: apples, peaches, Hass avocado, quince and pears, byorder of importance respectively.

In order to achieve the proposed, objective five working areaswere selected and 20 leading fruit producers (four per area), towhich technical assistance is given as a group, training throughcourses, field day, seminars, marketing guidelines and setting-up ofdemonstrative plots.

Table 2. Training events that took place during 2003.

Trained producers

643113431

1

Short course on apple productionShort course on peach productionShort course on Hass avocado productionShort course on quince productionShort course on pear productionShort course on harvest indexes in apples and peachesField days in apple cultivationField days in peach cultivationShort course on farm management

Short course on marketing and standards

Farm management

Marketing

Subject Area Training events

Production technology

Total 27 679

No. ofevents

157115

93202063968220

13

Producers have been actively involved in the differenttraining events that took place.

Additionally during 2003 support was given to 248 small pro-ducers mainly in 3 crops (apples, peaches and avocado), signifi-cantly surpassing the group goal that had been established whichwas of 160 small producers. The average planting area by produc-er is of approximately 600 square meters, and 80% of the pro-ducers have drip irrigation systems and the remainder irrigationby gravity.

A very useful strategy to attain the 2003 proposed objectiveswas in forming strategic alliances with similar institutions thatoperate in the area, among which the main ones are the AmericanCommission of Foreign Remittances (CARE), The NationalProfessional Training Institute (INFOP), Area DevelopmentProject (PDA) of Yamaranguila, the Sustainable AgricultureTraining Center of Yamaranguila (CEASY) and the SustainableDevelopment Companies SETAS and FACILITA.

Direct producing farm visits were made, as is indicated inTable 3. During these visits assistance was given mainly in the areaof plantation location, excavating holes, transplantation, buddingpruning, formative pruning, fito-sanitary control with environ-mental friendly products and the adequate use of water for irriga-tion. It is important to note that together with CARE, 150 smalldrip irrigation projects have been established, mainly for applecultivation in the three Departments. Also 4 demonstrative plotsfor apple, Hass avocado, peach and pear were established, inwhich field day and other training activities take place.

In the last quarter of 2003, a total of 80 producers have estab-lished accounting and production registers in their own farms,which contributes to an improvement in the efficiency and prof-itability of them. At the end of that year the new production areasestablished are the following: apple 14.7 hectares, peaches 6.8hectares, Hass avocado 0.80 hectares and 0.16 hectares of pear.Through this project some new publications have been preparedand some already published have been re-printed, as is indicatedin Table 4.


ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 F H I A I N L A E S P E R A N Z A


Table 3. Direct farm visits in 2003.Fruit Technical visitsApplePeachAvocadoTotal

Table 4. Publications distributed among the producers.

Publication DeliveredGTechnical guide-lines for Hass avocado cultivation in Honduras. 100Technical guide-lines for quince cultivation. 20Technical Sheet on cultivating Hass avocado. 100Technical Sheet on cultivating quince. 100Technical Sheet on cultivating pear. 20Reprinting the technical guide-lines on apple cultivation. 157Reprinting the technical guide-lines on peach cultivation. 115

Producers have implemented drip irrigation systems for amore efficient use of water.

21184 32

327




35

Technical assistance services

During 2003 the Post-HarvestDepartment offered technical assis-

tance to temperate climate vegetable pro-ducers organized by CARE, PROMOSTA andFHIA-La Esperanza, in various communitiesof the Departments of La Paz and Intibucathat supply products for the domestic mar-ket.

Some research work on modified envi-ronments was done for an enterprise locatedin the South of the country that exportsmelon (Cucumis melo L.) and water melons(Citrullus lanatus L.). The tasks were per-formed using different types of plastic bagsand contributed to an improved post-harvestmanagement of these fruits.

Coordinating with the DiversificationProgram, the producers of black pepper(Piper nigrum L) were assisted in preparing quality standards forthis grain, and technical assistance and training was also given tothe rambutan (Nephellium lappaceum L) producers exporting tothe United States market.

At the request of the Development Organization of Corquin,Copan (ODECO) several training activities were conducted forsmall producers in that part of the country. The organizationoffered assistance in the Western part of the country in post-har-vest handling of temperate climate fruit and vegetables and in pro-cessing wild blackberries (Rubus spp.), apples (Malus spp), peach-es (Prunas persica), plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) and squash(Cucurbit ficifolia L.). A similar service was given to the producers

members of the CARIBEL Cooperative ofthe National Farmers Union (UNC) locatedin the Ocotepeque sector.

Assistance in plantain processing wasgiven to the Food Company Inc. (ICASA) inChinandega, Nicaragua, and to the ANAIndustry in Managua, Nicaragua, as well asfor the post-harvest handling of sweet corn(Zea mays L.) and ochra (Hibiscus esculen-tus). Finally, the Agro-businessDevelopment Center (CDA) of FINTRACin Honduras was helped in researchingyucca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and injalape o pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

Inducing ripening in Jalape o peppers(Capsicum annuum L.) with Ethylene

The objective of this project was tostudy the exposure time and the ethylene

dosage to induce change of color in jalape o peppers. The treat-ment with 400 cc of Etigen¤ had no effect on changing the colorof the green jalape o pepper. However, a change of color wasobserved in green striped peppers with a 30-40% orange coloredskin, treated with the same dosage of Etigen¤ and 24 hours ofexposure, after five days at room temperature.

Fungus and bacteria caused rotting and therefore a 35% lossof the product. The loss of weight of the fruit in 10, 12 and 14days of storage, was of a maximum of 20 grams, with a loss in thefirmness of the fruit seen after four days.

Héctor Aguilar, M. Sc.Head of Post- Harvest Departament

Post-Harvest Departament

Plain green jalape o pepper without any effect from theethylene.

Striped green pepper with more than 35% of yellow-orange color responding to ethylene

Yucca (Manihot esculenta L. Crantz) post-harvest evalua-tion stored in three different types of plastic bags. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different types of

plastic bags for prolonged storage of yucca.The results obtained indicate that the yucca stored in plastic

bags for 21 days, did not show any weight loss, however a weightloss and dehydration was noted during the control treatment afterthe fifth day of storage. The presence of fungus was observed inthe control on the third day especially in areas that were damagedor bruised.

After the tenth storage day, all the treatments showed fungusexcept bag BJ33. In the control treatment a physiological deterio-ration was observed on the second day of storage and in thetreatment of polytube and banavac bags the same effect wasobserved after the tenth day. These were also the bags withgreater condensation. The physiological deterioration was less inthe paraffin treatment and with bag BJ33 after 21 days of storage.

Post-harvest evaluation of twelve varieties of salad toma-toes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) grown in green houses

One of the objectives of evaluating new varieties of saladtomatoes was to learn about their agronomic behavior, as well astheir morphological and physiological characteristics as well astheir behavior during storage and shelf life, as a result of pre andpost-harvest handling. In the evaluation it was observed that thelarger size fruit was the 304, Narita, 1418 and 302 weighing228.0, 222.2, 190.8 and 172.5 grams, respectively. The bestshaped fruits were 1419, 304, Narita and 1418 showing good pro-portions as far as diameter and length of fruit is concerned.

The 1418, 304, Narita, 1419 and 304 varieties had 6.2, 5.5,5.0, 4.8 and 4.2 cavities per fruit, which indicates that they aresusceptible to a rough handling or bad packaging, mainly the 304,1418 and 1419 materials, that showed a low resistance to rupturewith 1.5, 1.8 and 1.9 Kgf. The Narita and 304 varieties had thegreater titrable acidity with 9.0 and 6.8 meq/100g of fruit.

All varieties presented physiological changes during shelf life,mainly weight, firmness and acidity loss, with brix increasing insome of them. In conclusion the 304, 1418, 1419, 306,Dominique and Narita varieties or types were those that present-ed better morphological internal and external qualities duringstorage and shelf life.

Protocol for ripening FHIA-20 and FHIA-21 plantainsThe purpose of the study was to determine the ethylene

dosage for induced ripening of the FHIA-20 and FHIA-21 plantainsfor the processing of ripe slivers or baked plantain. Differentdosages and times of exposure to ethylene were evaluated andthe optimum ripening of the hybrid FHIA plantains was obtainedwith fruit aged for 84 days. The process was to place the fruit dur-ing 36 hours at a 14 …C temperature with a relative humidity ofbetween 90-95% to remove field heat. Later, the temperaturewas increased to 16 …C for 12 hours, as a period of conditioningand then Etigen was applied as an ethylene source.

The FHIA-20, FHIA-21 hybrids and the horn plantainsreached a firmness of 1.7, 2.2 and 2.11 Kgf with applications of150 ml and 250 ml of Etigen, respectively. The FHIA hybrids inorder to ripen need a high relative humidity to maintain firmnessand to avoid pulp and skin dehydration and softening. Fruit shouldno be left at room temperature for more than two hours beforeprocessing. Both hybrids showed acceptable coloring after frying(golden yellow) and the amount of oil absorbed is similar to thatfor horn plantain.


ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 P O S T - H A R V E S T D E P A R T A M E N T


Evaluation of selected material from tomatoes cultivated ingreen houses.

Species PalpableTexture

BrixDegrees

Color Oil Content(g)

FHIA-20FHIA-21Horn

Soft/shapelySoft/shapely

35.234.332.6

Golden yellow 4.24.93.9

Characteristics of FHIA-20, FHIA-21 and horn plantainsafter the frying process.

Slightly Hard




37

The Plant Protection Department sup-ported FHIA Programs, producers and

other national agricultural activity players byexecuting research and development, diag-nosis, transfer of technology, training andfield assistance, for identifying, characteriz-ing, and efficient and secure handling of pestsand abnormalities in crops of interest.Following are the most relevant activitiesthat were developed during the last period.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTEvaluation and participative sharing

of the Musa hybrids which are resistant to the black Sigatoka

The second year of the Evaluation andParticipative Sharing of the Musa ImprovedGerm-plasma was completed, this is an ini-tiative that is administered and financed byINIBAP in four countries in the Americas and three in Africa by theCommon Fund for Commodities (CFC) of the FAO, with the goalof promoting Musa hybrids that could contribute to food securityin those countries.

During their first three years, demonstration plots of elevenspecies of promising banana and plantain hybrids resistant to theblack Sigatoka are being evaluated, of these nine were developedin FHIA, one in CARBAP (Cameroon) and one in IITA (Nigeria),comparing them to local equivalent species. In Honduras, at theend of the second year there were demonstration and seed pro-duction plots established in the following five places: La Lima,Cortes; El Negrito, Yoro; Catacamas, Olancho; Comayagua,Comayagua; and Liure, El Paraiso; additionally in a sixth location,in El Calan, Cortes, the same materials are being evaluated underthe format of a replicated experiment. In this phase field and post-harvest information is being generated that will allow farmers andspecialists to identify the most appropriate hybrids for local condi-tion production.

Starting with the third year, it is expected that a supervisedagricultural credit package with funds committed by CFC will beavailable, so that by the fourth year small producers will be able toreceive financing to establish pilot commercial plantations with themost outstanding varieties and using the best appropriate technol-ogy available. In three locations of Honduras the collection of dataon the first cycle of production was finalized, having identified pre-liminarily three hybrids that stand out because of their generalgood behavior: FHIA-20 (plantain), FHIA-23 (banana) and FHIA-25 (cooking banana).

Evaluation of female fruit Fly attractors in citric groves Detecting and quantifying fruit Fly populations are one of the

strategies to handle these insects efficiently,particularly in regards to export crops. Since1994 FHIA has developed collaborativetasks with the International Atomic EnergyAgency (IAEA, Vienna, Austria), with partialfinancial support of the IAEA, to evaluatesystems that attract the fruit Flies

During 2003 citrus planning experi-ments were made of the Orthanique speciesin Santa Cruz de Yojoa, Cortes, and of theRuby Red grapefruit in Montevideo, ElPorvenir, Atlantida, to evaluate the followingfemale lures: A) Based on NuLure + Borax;B) ? X Ammonium Acetate (AA) +Putrescent (PTR); C) ? X AA + PTR; D) ? XAA; E) 2X Ammonium Bicarbonate (BA) +PTR; and, F) ? X BA. The results in eitherplaces showed that NuLure continues to beequally or more effective than synthetic

lures in attracting Anastrepha spp. adults and females.

Progress in studying the reproductive biology of femalePhyllophaga obsoleta in La Esperanza, Intibuca.

The effect of light as a lureThe Phyllophaga obsoleta larvae and of other species of this

gender known generically here as Gallina ciega , sic Blind henfeed on underground parts of plants, causing significant losses in aWide range of crops, unfortunately, in general conventional con-trol measures have proved to be of limited effect. The ovipositingperiod of the adult Blind hen starts at the beginning of the rainyseason and lasts from 6-9 weeks; these adults are attracted bylight, therefore the use of light traps has been put forward toreduce the numbers of P. obsoleta females that are responsible forovipositing.

In 2003 in the Intibuca highlands, observations were made onthe development of oviposits and eggs in P. obsoleta femalesextracted from the soil before they would naturally emerge, thestatus of pregnancy of females that emerged attracted by the light,and determinations on ovipositioning of individual females natural-ly emerged that were immediately confined with male pairs incages with soil and food. Not until mid April were females extract-ed from the earth belonging to the first developed eggs; and fromthat date the quantity of females with eggs and the average of eggsper female increased until the emergence period began.

As the adult emergence began, the finding was made that onlyone out of every ten females confined showed eggs, and the num-ber of eggs was of 16. In seven weeks of light trapping 7,794 indi-vidual (50.13% females) were trapped; half of the females captureddid not have eggs, there was one female that had 53 eggs, and theaverage was of 3.78 eggs/female. With this date the conclusion is

Mauricio Rivera, Ph. D.Head of Plant Protection Department

Plant Protection Departament


that light traps were not effective as a management strategy, sinceat the moment they were captured the females had alreadydeposited 92.8% of their eggs.

Progress in handling the gallnut nematode (Meloidogyne sp.) in eggplant

In the horticulture areas of Honduras, the gallnut nematode(Meloidogyne sp.) causes substantial losses in eggplants and othercrops. As eco-friendly alternatives in handling this pest in egg-plants, in the CEDEH, in Comayagua, the BuRize mushroomGlomus intrarradix, the antigen Mycobac mushroom Trichodermalignorum, and grafting on wild a solanacea Solanum torvum(Friegaplatos, Huevo de Gato local Spanish common names), insoils that were infested with the gallnut nematode, compared toapplying a nematocide (oxamilo) and a control witness with notreatment.

The results clearly showed that the grafted plants presentedvisibly greater vigor, less signs of gallnutting, better increasedyields and a greater production cycle than the rest of the treatedplants. The grafting method opens up new possibilities for pro-ducing this species effectively without the use of nematocides andreducing costs and environmental and health hazards that theserepresent.

DIAGNOSIS AND REPORTING PESTS AND DISEASESDiagnostic services and computer data

base of fito-sanitary problems The systematic identification and reporting fito-sanitary prob-

lems and the circumstances of their occurrence is an importantfactor in fito-protection. FHIA has been operating since 1985 theonly fito-sanitary diagnostic service available to the North coast,Western and part of the Central region areas of Honduras.Additionally it maintains and increases an entomological collec-tion.

In 2003 report were made on 284 diagnosis, of which 147were Fito-pathology, 121 were of Nematology, and 16 were ofEntomology. A total of 992 samples were received and analyzed.Additionally, PROTEVGE data entry on new fito-sanitary prob-lems was done, and at present there are 3,735 reports that doc-ument the results of the analysis of 7,648 samples that are main-tained in the entomological specimen collection and samplesentered into the fito-sanitary diagnostic clinic, these data willserve as reference and source of information for publications andpest and crop disease inventories.

As a singular activity, during this year the germ-plasma collec-tion of FHIA citruses was indexed for the Weeping virus (CTV).This collection is the source of reproductive material used in theDiversification Program to produce grafted plants of the varietiesmost sought after locally; therefore, it is important to ensure theirfito-sanitary condition. Samples were taken from 410 trees thatrepresent 55 different genotypes, and these were processed usingthe ELISA analytic technique. Nine trees were found to be positive

to CTV, and they were immediately destroyed.

Identification and handling of viruses in vegetables Viral diseases are one the main constraints of vegetable pro-

duction in Honduras; unfortunately, a general lack of knowledgeof the identity of these diseases makes it difficult to select andapply the more appropriate management practices. From 2001 to2003, some 281 leaf samples of plants with viral diseases in theDepartments of Comayagua, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Yoro andAtlantida were collected. Of these samples 55 were of Tabascopeppers, 69 Sweet peppers, 60 tomatoes, 38 of banga a, 16 ofwater melon, 10 of Jalape o peppers and 33 of other vegetablespecies and some weeds. Of these, 75 were analyzed for theGemini virus using the molecular Polimerasa Chain ReactionMethod (PCR) and 206 for other viruses using the EnzymeImmune Absorbance Technique (ELISA).

The results indicate that 44% of the total analyzed samplesfor Gemini virus by PCR came out positive; from Comayagua 10out of 27 samples (equivalent to 37%), were positive and fromOlancho a 47.9% of the samples were positive. In Sweet peppers,the highest rate of Gemini viruses were registered, 19 out of 27samples (equivalent to 70.4%). In the case of tomatoes 40.6%(13 samples) came out positive.

With the ELISA tests a considerable amount of positive sam-ples and various viral diseases were found, the most frequent ofthem was the Etching Virus Virus del Grabado (TEV), TobaccoMosaic Virus (TMV) and part of the Potyvirus group. Tabasco andSweet peppers were the crops with the widest diversity of virus-es found. These results confirm a considerable variety of virusesfound in vegetable crops, among them are those diseases causedby Gemini virus which numerically are the most important groupthat attacks these crops in the areas sampled.

This study is part of the work done in collaboration betweenSAG-DICTA, the Pan-American Agricultural School (EAP) andFHIA in Honduras, and Purdue University, Virginia Tech. and theUniversity of Arizona in the USA, with USAID funds through theIntegrated Pest Management-Collaborative Research SupportProgram (IPM-CRSP).

Nematological characterization of agricultural soils Prior knowledge of the problems in the field is a prerequisite

to identify the more appropriate strategies to be used in an inte-grated management of crops. Therefore, continuing an activitybegun several years ago, systematic sampling, soil and root analy-sis of existing crops in the demonstration/experimental centers ofFHIA in El Calan, Cortes (plantain and banana CEDEP),Comayagua (vegetable CEDEH) and in La Esperanza, Intibuca(highland vegetables PDAE), to determine the existing nematodefito-pathogens species.

The samples obtained from CEDEP showed high levels of soilinfection by the lesion nematode (Pratylenchus coffeae), perhapsthe most important Musa species; this location has been under a

ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 P L A N T P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T A M E N T




P L A N T P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T A M E N T ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004

Musa mono-crop for more than 15 years, which accounts for thepredominance of the above mentioned nematode. In CEDEH alower amount of the following gender of nematodes was found:the bud and leaf nematode (Aphelenchoides sp.), the Ditylenchussp. nematode, and the kidney shaped nematode (Rotylenchulusreniformis, the rickety nematode (Tylenchorhynchus sp.), the gallnutnematode (Meloidogyne sp.), and the spiral nematode(Helicotylenchus sp.), and the lesion nematode (Pratylenchus sp.).This diversity and the relatively lower amounts of nematodesreflect the diversity of crops that through time have been estab-lished on rotation crops in the CEDEH soil.

In La Esperanza, Intibuca, at 1,600 masl, and with a lesser diver-sity of crop species, the analysis results showed high incidents onlyof the spiral nematode (Helicotylenchus multicinctus) in the majorityof the samples, followed in a decrease order and by a much lowerfrequency by a Ditylenchus sp. species, the gall nut nematode(Meloidogyne sp.) and the lesion nematode (Pratylenchus sp.).

Characterization/prevention of fito-sanitary problems in the field and in post harvest

Field trip assistance has been give to the FHIA ExperimentalStations in Comayagua (Comayagua), La Esperanza (Intibuca), LaMasica (Atlantida) and La Lima (Cortes), with multidisciplinaryteams to characterize and prevent fito-sanitary problems thataffect existing crops and products. Additionally assistance wasgiven by inspecting the crops and products of the farmers receiv-ing support, or to producers and entities that ask for particularservices. The crops represented in this activity included watermelon, banana, black pepper, papaya, oranges, grapefruit, peach-es, African palm, peppers, melon, potatoes, Indian vegetables,Asian vegetables, rambutan, sugar cane and others.

An additional activity that was initiated during the year was thepreparation of pest risk analysis for export potential crops. Theimport of a new agricultural product to the country for the first time,or from a new source presents a risk to the importing country, since

unwanted fito-sanitary problems may be comingwith the imported product. Therefore, its is nec-essary to perform an analysis that would allow andestimate to be made of the risk involved for thereceiving country with the new product based onaccepted technical-scientific criteria that wouldtake into account the crops and fito-sanitaryproblems that exist both in this country and in thecountry of origin.

In this area, specific assistance was given to theCenter for Agro-business Development (CDA-FIN-TRAC), preparing a risk assessment for tomato,sweet potato and onions directed towards exportingthem to the US market. Additionally, at the end ofthe year a contract was made with the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to prepare in 2004the risk analysis for exporting two exotic fruits withexport to foreign markets potential.

TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFERTogether with other FHIA units, technical conferences were

given and written and visual material was prepared or revised forseveral of the courses given by FHIA for different participants,including a range of crops (plantain, temperate climate vegetables,rice, rambutan, apples, onions, Tabasco peppers, corn and others)and subjects (integrated pest management, field diagnosis of fito-sanitary and nutritional problems in crops, appropriate techniquesfor taking samples for laboratory fito-sanitary diagnosis, safe andefficient handling of pesticides and others). Attendance duringthese courses fluctuated, including small and medium national andinternational producers, technicians from agriculture business andothers.

Participation in technical-scientific events and trainingUpdating staff in the different scientific subjects contained in

DPV has been a constant concern to assure that the neededknowledge to face old and new problems with the most appropri-ate technical-scientific tools available.

Technical-scientific events and study tripsThe sabbatical absence of Mauricio Rivera from the 20th of

April to the 6th of October, 2003, sponsored by the FulbrightProgram of the State Department of the United States. This tookplace in the California University- Davis, on the subject ofDeveloping the Skills in Advanced Technology of Fito-pathologi-

cal Diagnosis .In May of 2003 Hernan Espinoza participated in the XLIX

Meeting of the Central American Cooperative Program ofImprovements in Crops and Animals (PCCMCA), that took placein La Ceiba, Atlantida, presenting the results of the following fivestudies done by members of the DPV: Incidence and importanceof the Begomo-virus in Solanaceous and Cucurbitaceous crops in

Typical symptoms in cucurbitaceous leave and peppers, of diseasescaused by viruses

39


two regions of Honduras , Reaction of the FHIA-22 and FHIA-25 hybrids to the Pratylenchus coffeae and Radopholus similisnematodes, Evaluation of micorices and organic nematocides inmanaging Meloidogyne sp. in eggplant export , Effectiveness ofthe imidacloprid to control Phyllophaga obsoleta in strawberries ,and Trapping the fruit Fly in rambutan plantations in the North ofHonduras .

Hernan Espinoza in February, 2003 participated in the consul-tation forum organized by the Inter American AgriculturalCooperation Institute (IICA) in Tegucigalpa, F.M., on Agro-Livestock Sanitation and Food Safety .

In November of that year Hernan Espinoza participated in theMesoAmeriNet Formation Workshop (The Meso American

Network of Taxonomy), organized by REDBIO in the City ofGuatemala.

Jose Melgar participated on the 6th and 7th of May in theAlternatives to Methylene Bromide Workshop , that took place

in Tegucigalpa, F.M., sponsored by the Natural Resources andEnvironment Ministry and the United Nations Organization forIndustrial Development (ONUDI).

CONTRACT ACTIVITIESCandidate for black Sigatoka product control

Black Sigatoka is the highest fito-sanitary risk in producingbanana for export, and the molecular arsenal that has beenauthorized to fight it is relatively limited. A test was performed forthe Unites States SQM-AJAY North America Company (GA,

EE.UU.), using the method called the Single Leaf Test , to deter-mine the biological effectiveness of a chemical product with anIodine base in black Sigatoka, under field conditions with naturalinoculants.

Evaluating the effect of the Agriban bag in export banana production.

At the request of the Mexican firm PGI-Bonlam, betweenFebruary of 2003 and March of 2003 a field study was done theContinental Banana Plantation, in Manacal, Cortes, to evaluatethe knitted Agriban bag for bagging export banana.

Monitoring the sensitivity of black Sigatoka(Mycosphaerella fijiensis) to fungicides

The Fito-pathological Laboratory processed 255 samples ofbanana leaf tissue sent by the Syngenta firm, from Guatemala,Belize and Honduras, to determine the sensitivity of the M. fijien-sis fungus that causes black Sigatoka, to fungicides used to controlcommercial plantations of export banana.

Musa variety evaluationAt the request of the Syngenta-GM firm, in October of 2003

the selected germ-plasm of export banana was initiated to deter-mine its behavior in the field and post harvest. With this particu-lar material 2.5 hectares were established in the CEDPR, of LaLima, Cortes.

ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 P L A N T P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T A M E N T





The objective of the Economics andMarketing Office is to generate and pro-

vide information for the different FHIAPrograms, public and private institutions andto the general public, on the different agricul-tural product markets and for the economicfinancial analysis to determine the viability ofagricultural productions projects.

Among the Office responsibilities are:• Maintain the data base on fruit, veg-

etable, wood, and flower prices in thedifferent market of the United Statesand Europe.

• Monitor the different tendencies inprices of the international markets toidentify high priced crops.

• Prepare market studies. • Prepare economic-financial analysis for

agricultural and forest products. • Provide marketing assistance for agricultural products.

During 2003, the Office up-dated and expanded the existingdata bases for the United States and European markets. This infor-mation is used in monitoring price tendencies and in identifyingnew high priced agricultural products that have potential forHonduras Presently the Office maintains historic data on morethan 60 products.

In order to provide producers, exporters and institutions withcurrent information, the office prepared two reports on prices ofdifferent fruits and vegetables in the different markets of theUnited States. These reports were:1. Report on the prices of markets in Miami and New York,

which includes the following products: lemons, blackberries,raspberries, melons, water melons, bananas, papayas, pineap-ples, plantains, ginger, malanga, ame, dasheen, sweet corn,okra, Chinese beans, sweet potatoes and cucumbers.

2. Report on the prices of oriental vegetables in the Miami, NewYork and Philadelphia, which includes: Chinese chives, Indiancundeamor, bok choy, banga a, Chinese ochra, Taiwaneseochra, Chinese eggplant, Indian eggplant, Japanese eggplant,small Chinese sting-beans, and hairy cucumber.These are one page reports where the price, origin, and sales

unit of the products traded in the wholesale markets of the UnitedStates. These reports are distributed weekly through E-mail with-out cost. Approximately 90 different reports were distributed dur-ing 2003.

Together with Chemonics International during 2003, fourreports on additional prices were prepared, which were two pagesof prices of different products and brief remarks on market ten-dencies. The reports referred are the following:

1. Fruit and vegetable report in theHonduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador mar-kets. This included the following products:onions, potatoes, water melon, pineapple,tomatoes, cabbages, avocados and plantains.They include the prices Publisher by SIM-PAH.2.. Cacao Report: Including the cash prices ofthe actual cacao beans of the AmericanAssociation of Cacao Traders and the futureprices of Coffee, Sugar and Cacao in theNew York Futures Market Exchange.3. Coffee Report: With reference to the cashof the actual coffee beans in the New YorkFutures Market Exchange.4. Spices and Nuts Report: This report onthe prices of various spices and nuts in theNetherlands, Japanese and New York mar-kets.

These reports were distributed weekly and by-weekly withoutcost by E-mail. A total of 70 reports were prepared during 2003distributed in the following manner: regional fruits and vegetables(40), cacao (10) coffee (10) and spices and nuts (10).

Together with other FHIA units, the Office participated in var-ious conferences related to market tendencies for the followingcrops: plantains, sweet onions, avocados, apples, pears and peach-es. Additionally, support was given to rambutan producers inter-ested in exports in the search for possible buyers in the UnitedStates.

Starting in 2003, the United States is applying the New Bio-terrorism Law, where exporters of products for human or animalconsumption are obliged to register the packing establishmentsand the prior notification of products towards that country. Inorder to acquire knowledge on these new measures established bythe Law, various conferences were attended prepared by differentinstitutions on this subject. The registry of various producer pack-ing houses and refrigerated warehouses and the FHIA packinghouse were made.

During the July to October, 2003 period, a short term consul-tancy was executed requested by the Argentine LatinconsultCompany, who designed an irrigation system for the Valley ofOloman, in El Negrito, Department of Yoro. This consultancy hadas its objective to recommend potential crops for that valley and abrief description of market and marketing for the products recom-mended. The recommendations were based on the different soilsin the area and upon the existing crops. The following crops wererecommended: 1) Annual crops: corn, beans, rice, onions, plan-tains, jalape o pepper, Tabasco pepper, water melon, yucca andmalanga; 2) Permanent crops: grapefruit, avocado and lemons.

Enid Cuellar, M. Sc.Head of the Economics and Marketing Office

Economics and Marketing Office

41

Services



42




43

The FHIA Agricultural Chemical Labo-ratory offers analysis services to the

farmers and agro-industrialists in the coun-try and the Central American region insoils, vegetable tissues, water, concentrat-ed feed, cement, lime materials, etc. TheLaboratory has specialized staff and equip-ment to guarantee the quality, efficiencyand trustworthiness of the analysis resultsand of the recommendations that stemfrom them, so that the users of these serv-ices can maximize their production andproductivity in their commercial opera-tions.

During 2003 a total of 5147 sampleswere analyzed, of which a 57.6% were soil

samples, similar to what was done in prioryears (See Table 1).

The majority of soil samples analyzedwere related to the production of sugar cane,vegetables, coffee, tobacco and plantain.(Graph 1). However, it is important to men-tion that in the year 2003 the number of soilsamples related to the production of pota-toes and water melons increased comparedto the very limited amount of analysis in prioryears. This increase could be due in part tothe area expansion of these crops, or becauseproducers are becoming aware of the impor-tance of analysis of soil to apply an efficientfertilizing program.

Agricultural Chemical Laboratory

Type of Sample Quantity %Soil 2,968 57.6Foliar 1,028 20.0Miscellaneous 1,151 22.4Total 5,147 100.0

Graph 1. Soil samples analyzed in 2003.

Julio Herrera, M. Sc.Head of Agricultural Chemical Laboratory

Table 1. Samples analyzed during 2003.

No.

de

mue

stra

s

The samples of African palm tissues come from theAgropalma Company located in the Valley of the Aguan,Department of Colon and from independent producers located inthe Guaymas sector of Yoro.

In order to increase and diversify the services rendered, atthe present time services are also offered for analyzing heavymetals in soils and mud, and the analysis of fluorides and hexava-lent chrome in water samples.

TRAINING ACTIVITIESThe technical staff of the Agricultural Chemical Laboratory

carried out training activities for producers that are receivingassistance from the different FHIA Programs and Projects. A totalof 16 conferences were prepared, mainly for the technical sub-jects such as the sampling of soil and leaves, and nutrition and fer-tilization of crops.

As a result of a request coming from the local sugar compa-nies, two conferences were prepared on the subjects of sugarcane nutrition and fertilization, directed to technical personnel inseveral sugar mills throughout the country. Additionally, technicalassistance in sugar cane nutrition and fertilization was given at theCholuteca Sugar Company that operates in the Southern regionof the country.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIESAs far as creating or generating technology, assistance was

given in preparing the following experiments: • The effects of the application of nitrogen, phosphorous and

potassium in potato production.• Evaluation of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in beet-

root production.• Evaluation of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in cauli-

flower production.• Evaluation of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in broc-

coli production.In order to continue with quality control of the analysis serv-

ices, the Laboratory maintains an interchange of soil and leaf sam-ples with the Agricultural University of Wageningen in theNetherlands.

Regarding vegetable tissue analysis, the greater demand was from producers of African palm, vegetables, sugar cane, coffee andpotatoes (Graph 2).

Graph 2. Foliar samples analyzed in 2003.

Num

ber

of s

ampl

e



ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 A G R I C U L T U R A L C H E M I C A L L A B O R A T O R Y

44




Since its creation FHIA s Pesticide Residue Analysis Laboratoryhas had as its mission to offer this service in a wide range of

agricultural food products with up-to-date analysis methods andto provide assistance to the general public and to the Foundation sPrograms and Units, in order to protect consumers, producersand the environment, with a reputation for providing efficientservices.

Samples of water, vegetables, processed foods, foliates, plas-tic sheets, meat and soil are analyzed in order to detect, identifyand quantify the residues of 75 different ingredients that are activein pesticides. These pesticide residues are extracted using aninternationally approved multi-residual analysis methodology dulymodified by our Laboratory. The Laboratory has the requiredinstruments for this type of analysis such as chromatographers forgases and for liquids; it also has staff trained in preparing the analy-sis. Presently a whole range of organ chlorides, carbamates, themajority of organophosphates and pyretroid pesticides are ana-lyzed.

There are five basic laboratory objectives.• Provide national producers, exporters and industry, with the

analysis of pesticide residues in their diverse products, in afast and trustworthy way.

• Cooperate with Foundation Programs and Units, in deter-mining pesticide residues in soils, waters and vegetable prod-ucts.

Offer training on the usage, adequate handling and acceptedlevels of tolerance for pesticides.• Investigate environmental pesticide contamination, perform-

ing monitoring and analyzing the chemical residues in waters,soils and in food products from vegetable and animal sources.

• Disseminate through technical publications, the results ofresearch studies performed.

Pesticide analysisDuring 2003 a total of 359 analysis were performed (13.97%

more than the previous year), of which 47.4% were water simpleanalysis, 24.01% samples of filter paper impregnated withchlorotalonyl and 8.4% were of sesame crop seeds. The rest ofthe samples were for soils, agricultural products, animal tissuesand others.

Over the years and due to the quality of services offered, theLaboratory is consolidating its market position at a national levelof analysis services. Presently the majority of user clients are pri-vate enterprises producing or exporting food products or govern-mental institutions.

The services offered during 2003 were ordered by: StandardFruit of Honduras, Tela Railroad Company, Alcon, S.A., VanguardiaPlastics, Chestnut Hill Farms, Industrial Analysis, Ecolova, JordanLaboratories and EXPRONASA.

Pesticide Residue

Analysis Laboratory

Samples analyzed during 2003.Type of samples Quantity %Water Filter paperSesame seedConcentrated feedPlastic sheetsSoilsJalape o peppersCoffeeOchreSandAnimal tissueFruitFoliar tissuePlantain slivers and breadTotal

1708630121010

97555442

359

47.424.018.403.302.802.802.501.901.401.401.401.111.110.50

100.00The Laboratory has trained personnel to prepare the different analysis that are requested.




46

The objective of the Agricultural ServicesUnit is to support and service the entire

institution in activities to do with maintainingo the fleet of vehicles, preparing soil in theexperimental plantations and plots, execut-ing the development of the plantations andimproving or replacing the existing infra-structure facilities, maintaining all theweather stations, collecting and organizingthe information needed and the conserva-tion, multiplication and sales of hybrid DonJulio sweet corn seed and the FHIA 15 andFHIA 24 soy varieties.

Again the possibilities for expanding soycultivation in Honduras are promising. Aswell as the interest on behalf of the majorcorn and sorghum producers in planting soyas a rotation crop. There is also economicmotivation because of the guarantee pricesagreed upon by the process-ing plants. In 2003 FHIArestructured the SeedProgram, but continuesmaintaining and purifyingthe FHIA 15 and FHIA 24-1 soy varieties. Likewiseand through seasonalplanting the Don Juliohybrid sweet corn seedsare also maintained.

During 2003, all theprogrammed activities

were implemented, such as the preventiveand corrective maintenance of the FHIAvehicles, and the permanent delivery of landpreparation services and agricultural mech-anization in the CEDPR in Guaruma I.Construction took place of 1250 squaremeters of covered and shaded green-hous-es in the Foundation s experimental cen-ters.

Based on the institutional determina-tion to improve the CEDPR infrastructure,more than 1200 hours of different machin-ery use were dedicated to farm renovatingoperations and re-adapting land, such ascorrecting secondary drainage, agriculturalleveling, spray irrigation installation, and soilpreparation with emphasis in greater depthof vertical plowing.

Roberto Fromm, Ing.Head of Agricultural Services Unit

Agricultural Services Unit

Agricultural mechanization activities in the CEDPR, 2003.

Performed operations Hectares Lineal metersLand plane leveling 11.55Drainage modifications -Opening of new drainage -Ditch excavation to bury piping -Burying piping in irrigation laterals -Total 11.55

Mechanical shop activities, 2003.Month Services delivered Total for month

Maintenance RepairJanuary 16February 15March 13April 14May 22June 14July 13August 14September 13October 22November 7December 9Total services 172

89

137

1096

111

1211

88

24242621322319251434

810

260

-1500165375643568265



A G R I C U L T U R A L S E R V I C E S U N I T ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004

As in prior years, in 2003 the Agricultural Services Unitoffered its dedicated support to the FHIA Programs for the designand construction of agricultural structures, under the fundamental

concept of building lasting structures, well planned and executedat reasonable cost.

Agricultural structure activities, 2003.

Month Tasks performed Location Constructed areaJanuary Compost preparation shed CEDPR 112 m2

March Construction of a well CEDEC 100 piesApril Concrete floor CADETH 330 m2

June Concrete bridge CADETH 30 m2

July Bedroom improvements CADETH 36 m2

August Rain protection panels for fruit nursery CEDEC 254 m2

November Barbed wire fence CEDPRNursery shading CEDPR 925 lineal m.

December Watch Dog weather station metal fences Several places 490 m2

Because of new assignments, as of 2003, the AgriculturalServices Unit took on the responsibility of maintaining active allthe FHIA meteorological stations and compiling and processingappropriately any information generated in each station. These

observations consist of measuring and determining the basicmeteorological parameters; solar radiation, maximum and mini-mum daily temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, wind speedand direction, and daily evaporation.

Distribution of FHIA meteorological stations, 2003.

Estation Department Latitude Longitude Elevation Station(North) (West) (masl)

El RecreoLa MasicaMezapaBoquer nCal nCuyamelGuarumaLa LimaNacoCEDEHLa EsperanzaBat n

AtlantidaAtlantidaAtlantidaCortesCortesCortesCortesCortesCortesComayaguaIntibucaYoro

15¡3415¡3815¡3515¡4515¡4415¡3915¡2515¡2615¡1415¡2715¡1815¡36

87¡0487¡0687¡3987¡4787¡4987¡1187¡5687¡5587¡5587¡4188¡887¡43

1752025

510123028

100620

168014

Temperature and rainfallCompleteRainfallRainfallCompleteTemperature and rainfallCompleteRainfallCompleteCompleteTemperature and rainfallRainfall

Every year the main rainy season distribution is themain factor responsible for fluctuations in crop yieldand in the total production of a particular region or ofthe country in general. For this reason, the trustwor-thiness and exactness in climate information regis-tered, and the sense of responsibility of those collect-ing field data are two fundamental elements for mete-orology to fulfill its function in the knowledge it gener-ates on atmospheric phenomena at the level of soilsurface and its probable effect on the crops of a shortor permanent cycle.

Sweet cornplot in rota-tion with soy,to takeadvantage ofa fallowbanana plot.

47

Agricultural Communication

Center



48




The Agricultural CommunicationsCenter of FHIA has been designed to

service the Foundation s diverse Programs,Departments and Projects, in order todevelop activities related to technologicaltransfer both in- country and out. Theseservices are related to logistical andmethodological support and to preparingwritten material on agricultural communi-cation offered through the Training, Libraryand Publications Units, which are the oper-ation units of the Center. Following is asummary of the main activities taken placeduring 2003.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT

The Agricultural CommunicationsCenter is directed by the CommunicationsManagement, which is the office responsible for coordinating allactions, striving to attain an efficient performance of its opera-tion units to offer quality services. It also supports the GeneralDirectorate in implementing activities of institutional interest,promotes FHIAs services and contributes to maintaining andstrengthening inter-institutional relations.

In supporting the Cocoa and Agro-forestry Program, theCenter participated in the planning, organization and develop-ment of the meetings to hand out certificates of forest planta-tions. Three events were organized and executed, one in LaMasica, and two in the city of La Ceiba, in which more than 400people participated, receiving their forest plantation certificates.

At the beginning of 2003 and within theframe work of the Agricultural Tablesorganized by the Ministry of Agricultureand Livestock (SAG), representing FHIA,there was participation in two workshopscoordinated by the Inter American Instituteof Agricultural Cooperation (IICA), to pre-pare the first draft of the Education andAgricultural and Business Training Policies inHonduras, with a draft of this document asthe outcome.

Communication Management sup-ported FHIAs participation in the annualmeeting of the Central AmericanCooperative Program for theImprovement of Crops and Animals(PCCMCA), that took place in Hondurasfrom the 28th of April to the 2nd of May,2003. During this event, a FHIA booth was

set up, and a cultural evening celebration was sponsored by theFoundation, who also participated in moderating the event itself.During the course of this event FHIA presented a total of 28research tasks performed.

This communication center actively participated in the plan-ning, organization and execution of the Technical-ScientificConferences that FHIA prepared in different locations through-out the country. The aim of the events was to share some of themost relevant FHIA research information in a majority of theareas promoted at national level. In these events the servicesprovided by FHIA in the national agricultural sector were pro-moted, and the technical documents published by theFoundation regarding different crops and specialized themeareas were made available to the participants. The events weresuccessful due to the quantity of participants and because in allthe events, both producers and technicians expressed their sat-isfaction for having received the technical information.

Roberto Tejada, M. Sc.Communications Manager

Agricultural Communications Center

Foresters, male and female from the North AtlanticCoast that received certificates of forest plantations

No. Location Date Participants12

345

ComayaguaSanta Rosa de Copan, CopanTegucigalpa, F.M.Juticalpa, OlanchoLa Ceiba, Atlantida

25/3/036/5/03

30/7/0331/7/0324/10/03

49182

90100110

Table 1. Technical — Scientific Conferences during2003.

Total 531


ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 A G R I C U L T U R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C E N T E R


Additionally as part of Foundation service promotion,FHIA participated in other events in which a promotionalbooth was also installed, as can be seen in Table 2.Participating in these events is very important because ofthe direct contact made with agricultural producers andtechnicians from private and public institutions, who areinformed of the work of the Foundation and of the servic-es that can be provided.

Information was sent, as part of the promotional activ-ities that FHIA provides to the national agricultural sector,at the beginning of 2003, to more than 200 public and pri-vate institutions and to productive businesses in the coun-try. Additionally a promotional poster was designed andprinted displaying the services FHIA offers and was distrib-uted in the main agricultural areas of the country.

Four editions of the FHIA INFORMA Quarterly Letterwere published. This is a publication of the GeneralDirectorate that shares FHIA every day activities and interinstitutional relations. A thousand copies of each editionwere printed, and distributed by E-mail to more than 500destinations in and out of the country.

Coordinating with the Diversification Program, theHonduran Association of Rambutan Producers andExporters (AHPERAMBUT N), was continuously support-ed. Two issues of the Rambutan Bulletin were published in

2003. This Bulletin is the news media of this Associationand provides its members with information of interest. In2003 the Black Pepper Bulletin was launched, to supportthe Honduran Black Pepper Producers Association(AHPROPINE). Two issues of this bulletin were also pub-lished in 2003. There were 200 copies that were also sentto more than 500 E-mail addresses in and outside thecountry.

There was a 70% increase in news releases during2003. These were publications in the nation-wide newspa-pers of wider circulation, such as La Prensa, Diario ElTiempo and La Tribuna. Through these news items, gener-al information of FHIA was published, as was informationpertinent to the domestic agricultural sector.

The Communications Manager was also involved inhosting the different delegations that visited this institutionto get to know general or specific aspects about it. In thisregard a total of 27 delegations for a total number of 473people were received in 2003. These included students ofdifferent academic levels, investors, scientists, officers frompublic and private organizations, etc. The AgriculturalCommunications Center also provides meeting rooms andother services to internal and external users. During 2003a total of 68 meetings were held for a total of 1,782 partic-ipants.

FHIA Booth at the Technical Scientific Conference inJuticalpa, Olancho.

Table 2. FHIA booths in different events and places of the country.

No. Event PlaceAgricultural Exhibition of Patron Saint Fairs Trinidad, Santa B rbaraPCCMCA Annual Meeting. La Ceiba, Atl ntidaXX Latin American Symposium on Coffee crops. San Pedro Sula, Cort sAgricultural Exposition of Patron Saint Fairs. Santa Rosa de Copan, Cop nFirst Congress of Food Security / World Food Day (FAO). Tegucigalpa, F.M.Agro-industrial Exposition Creating Laws for the People Tegucigalpa, F.Morganized by the National Congress.

123456

Students from the United States, visiting the Bananaand Plantain Program


A G R I C U L T U R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C E N T E R ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004


As part of the reciprocal cooperation Agreement signed in2002 between FHIA and the Honduran Technological University(UTH), two students from the Tourism Career were assigned tothe Agricultural Communications Center to prepare a study onthe possibilities of developing in FHIA agricultural tourism servic-es. As a result of this work that was carried out during the monthsof August and October of 2003, two important documents weredeveloped. One is The FHIA Plan to develop tourism products ,and the other is The FHIA Agro-tourism Marketing Plan . Thisstudy is an important document for FHIA to be able to eventuallyoffer scientific tourism services.

To support the Cacao and Agro-forestry Moniliasis ControlProgram , the script for preparing a video on Cacao Moniliasiswas prepared. This video to be used for educational purposes wasprepared by the ARGALYS enterprise, of Tegucigalpa, F.M. It has arunning time of 12 minutes and is now available.

TRAINING UNITThrough the Training Unit, The Agricultural Communications

Center coordinates its support to the FHIA Departments andPrograms, to develop training activities throughout the country.These services include planning and promotion of these events,preparing cost estimates, methodological guidance, preparingaudio-visual aides, supplying the equipment, preparing aide mem-oirs of the events, and others that contribute to developing effi-cient training activities.

At the beginning of each year, a general program of FHIAtraining events is made. The 2003 program was prepared and dis-tributed in and out of the country starting in January, so that theinformation could be available as soon as possible. Additionally,some 2-3 weeks before each event, there was another promotionin different means (newspaper adds and invitations sent both byfax and via E-mail), to share the information nationally and inter-nationally.

Development of Short CoursesA total of 36 short courses were carried out during 2003 with

participation of 629 persons, most of them national techniciansand producers. These events took place at several different loca-tions in the country, with FHIA instructors and some guest teach-ers.

A part of these events (12 courses) were included in the 2003course program, and were implemented as planned. However, itis important to stress that the majority of the short courses thatyear (24 courses), happened as a result of specific domestic andforeign requests, which allowed us to contribute towards fulfillingthe specific needs of those that requested the service, and alsogenerate more income for FHIA.

Also worth mentioning are the 10 events that took place inorder to benefit 203 small producers of both genders, that theOrganization for the Development of Corquin, Copan (ODECO),supports in the Western region of the country, in an agriculturaldiversification strengthening program. Likewise, by means of aspecial contract with the National Agricultural University (UNA)four courses were given on Agro-forestry Systems in the Tropicsand Farm Management Planning, with a total of 56 people partic-ipating, some of which were technicians from that University andproducing leaders from the Olancho Department.

Additionally to supporting these programmed events, theAgricultural Communications Center also developed a specificcourse on Techniques Used in Agricultural Training; in this course24 people participated, the majority of which were techniciansthat are involved in training programs, or participating actively inthe development of training activities in public institutions or pri-vate enterprises.

In order to contribute to fostering the use of modern informa-tion and communication techniques, time a course was organizedfor the first time on Electronic Trade, directed to the AgriculturalMarket Place (23 participants), and another on Designing WebPages (10 participants). During these courses participants were

Preparing the video on Cacao Moniliasis Control, thisincluded field-work in order to film the appropriatescenes.

Personnel from the National Agricultural University(UNA), receiving training in the CADETH




instructed on the use of Internet in agro business and the simplestways of making one s own web page, in order to improve marketingefforts for their products or services.

Development of SeminarsThese short duration events have only generally been direct-

ed towards the needs of FHIA technical staff, with the purpose ofthem becoming familiar with new aspects on various subjects ofinterest to the institution. However, starting in 2003, private tech-nicians and producers who might be interested in the topics werealso invited. In some cases the courses were given by FHIA tech-nicians, but the majority were presented by guest speakers.During 2003, 11 internal seminars took place in which 331 peopleparticipated.

LIBRARY UNIT The Robert H. Stover Library is an operating unit of the

Agricultural Communications Center whose basic principle is tosupport specialists in developing their research, production, train-ing and technological transfer programs, assisting them with atimely provision of scientific information.

Locating and acquiring documentsLocating, selecting and purchasing documents and the techni-

cal processing of these, took place by adding to the existing col-lection 1,281 new documents, which were classified and madeavailable to users. Additionally the existing data base wasenhanced, reaching a present total of 13,764 bibliographic regis-ters.

ServicesThe Library services are given both in the reading hall as well

as by means of sending information to the FHIA technicians andscientists. Other people s requests are also addressed from anypart of the country or from abroad. During 2003 some 1,731searches were assisted, that resulted in using 12,509 books,brochures and magazines.

The technicians and distance users were sent 933 informativealerts and 531 articles selected from magazines, according to theirareas of interest. FHIA technicians and scientists received 321magazines. Likewise, scientific articles were obtained from out-side the country from different libraries and were distributedamong the FHIA technicians, also some documents requestedthrough the System of Information of the Americas (SIDALC).

The number of Library users during 2003 totaled 3,966, ofwhich 1,086 were from FHIA and 1,988 are people that visit usfrom different locations in the country. A total of 274 schoolchild-ren were also received, consulting encyclopedias and other mate-rials related to the environment. The document circulation listscontain 2018 names.

TrainingIn order to constantly improve the quality of services being

offered, there is constant training provided for the Library per-sonnel. Therefore, in 2003 at least one person participated ineach of the Training Events indicated below:• Training Workshop on Information Analysis and use of

Thesaurus , for Library personnel during 16 hours in differenttime slots.

• Course on Electronic Trade, offered by the ComputerDepartment.

Participants in the Introduction to Fito-sanitarySampling and in Field Diagnosis of Diseases, Pests andNutritional Abnormalities in Crops, held in theCEDA, Comayagua.

Seminar on the Present Situation of the Market, andUse of Fertilizers in Honduras, given by EngineerRafael Flores, from the FENORSA Company.



A G R I C U L T U R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C E N T E R ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004

53

• Participation in the XIII Library and Agricultural DocumentKeepers Inter American Association Meeting, taken place inGuatemala.

Special projectsAs well as the activities directly related to providing services,

the Library personnel also developed other activities such as up-dating the Library Procedure Manual. A Manual was prepared ofthe Library Data Base, with its configurations and output formatson-screen or on paper, a Directory was prepared of 17 informa-tion centers that are part of the National Agricultural InformationNetwork of Honduras and a special file was prepared with the sci-entific literature written by Dr. Robert H. Stover.

Participation in networksThe Library actively participated in the National Network of

Agricultural Information supported by the IICA representative inHonduras, and in the SIDALC. From this work we would like tohighlight the periodical up-date of the bibliographical data basis ofthe BFHIA, ARTIC and REVIST that are on the Internet, throughthe AGRI2000 Project of the CATIE Library, located on theSIDALC site www.sidalc.net; semester and yearly reports wereprepared for the SIDALC System Coordinators; the AutomaticOrganization of Bibliographical Collection was coordinated andtook place, attended by personnel from the CATIE Orton Librarythat was four days long and in which 12 members of the NationalAgricultural Information Network of Honduras (REDNIAH) par-ticipated.

In order to contribute to the organization of other libraries inthe country, FHIA trained a person from the Ministry of Trade andIndustry, and continued to give support to the NationalAgricultural University (UNA) and to the National Forest SciencesSchool (ESNACIFOR), training part of their personnel assigned totheir libraries.

Promotion and sale of publicationsPromotional material prepared by FHIA is well accepted in

and out of our country. A total of 1,612 printed documents weresold through the Publication Sales Section in the hall where theTechnical Courses took place. There were also sales booths set-up at the Annual PCCMCA Meeting, and the Food SecurityCongress, at the XX Coffee Producing Symposium and at severallocal Patron Saint Fairs. An exhibition of products was set-up atthese events and a service promotion sign was displayed.

PUBLICATIONS UNITThe main objective of this unit is to support FHIA Programs,

Departments and Projects, in the design, preparation and multipli-cation of agricultural communications material, used in the tech-nological transfer process.

Services offeredThe Unit also offers its services to outside customers, and for

them, during 2003 the main services rendered were to the Studyof Behavior of Native Lumber Species, Worthy of Trade of theTropical Humid Forest of Honduras (PROECEN), for whom 500copies of the Forestry Guide to 23 Tropical Humid Forest Specieswere designed and printed; and for the Lancetilla BotanicalGarden for whom 1500 copies of promotional brochures weredesigned and printed.

Institutional reportsEach year the Programs, Departments and Projects prepare

their Technical Reports, which are edited by the Publications Unit.During this year seven Technical Reports were worked on in theareas of text revision and correction, standardizing formats andfinal printing for their final distribution.

The Annual Report is another document published each year.In the year 2003 the text was revised and the 2002-03 edition wasdesigned and diagrammed, there were 1000 copies printed. Thisreport in PDF format was also burned in a compact disc to facili-tate distribution.

Technical guidelines and manuals These documents generally offer information on a particular

crop and can detail some or all of the aspects related to its produc-tion and marketing. During this year seven guides or manuals on dif-ferent subjects were prepared, additionally the document calledClimate Data of the FHIA Stations (Table 1) and four manuals forshort courses were revised and up-dated, of the short courses per-formed as part of the activities programmed by the Training Unit.

Dr. Guillermo Villanueva, IICA Representative inHonduras and the CATIE Orton Library staff members,handing out diplomas to the participants of the BasicCourse on Organizing Bibliographical Collections withWinIsis. Taking the course were 12 librarian, membersof the National Agricultural Information Network ofHonduras, coordinated by FHIA


RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS54

Other information materialsA total of 15 brochures were designed and printed at the

request of the Foundation s Projects and Programs, as well as foureditions of the Quarterly FHIA Information Letter. Additionally,three bulletins on cultivating rambutan, two bulletins on black pep-per, the list of publications, the REDNIAH directory and the listprice of FHIA services were designed, diagrammed and printed.

Compact discsIn order to modernize the way information generated by the

Foundation is published, in the year 2003 the equipment to pub-lish documents in PDF format on compact discs was purchased.

This has allowed the latest FHIA publications to now be distrib-uted in compact disc format as well.

Other servicesCoordinating efforts with the Watershed EU- Project techni-

cal staff, the women leaders of producers of the area of LaAbisinia, Tocoa, Colon, were assisted in their training, with twoshort courses on constructing fire-wood saving stoves. This activ-ity was complemented by preparing the Let s Save Fire-wood atHome manual.

No.

Table 1. Technical guidelines and manuals prepared during 2003.

Document

Guidelines on planting rambutanRambutan cultivation manualFHIA weather stations dataGuidelines for cultivating strawberries in HondurasGuidelines for producing blackberries in Central AmericaCocoa Moniliasis controlLet s save fire-wood at home

1245678


Materials prepared by the Publications Unit, used for technological transfer.

Information System of

Agricultural Product Markets

of Honduras



55


ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 S


The Information System of AgriculturalProduct Markets of Honduras (SIM-

PAH), continued during 2003 with thestrategy of broadcasting information tofarmers and merchants in a timely andtrustworthy manner, using the differentmass media and a web page, as well asmaintaining a select group of subscribingclients in all of its services.

Information is collected daily in orderto obtain market intelligence , for which atraining plan has been prepared for theproject technicians, which included estab-lishing automatic spread-sheets in order tofollow the price tendencies and fluctua-tions, based upon a historical data basefrom 1996 to date.

Information network systemsIn order to maintain a system that will address the needs of

the type of agriculture farmers are seeking, that is directedtowards international markets, the SIMPAH maintains a networkwith other similar systems that are part of the InternationalOrganization of Agricultural Markets (OIMA) in the Pan AmericanRegion. A representative of SIMPAH participated in the annualmeeting of this organization that took place during the month ofDecember in Nicaragua, where cooperation and technologicalinterchange is promoted in both procedures and strategies.

Broadcasting informationSIMPAH collected and broadcasted prices of agricultural

products in Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua on a daily basis,after managing and maintaining a network of committed mer-chants in the System, who are mainly located in the main whole-sale markets in the countries where the Project is operating.

PublicationsThe following publications and reports were prepared:

Annual Price Statistics; Business Directory of Honduras,Nicaragua and El Salvador; Penetration Cost Report and theCentral American Bulletin, Market Panorama, which has marketinformation on the three Central American countries, a consoli-dated price report, data, grain competitivity report, which is dis-tributed by E-mail to more than 300 regional subscribers.

Continuous evaluationIn order to maintain the trustworthiness

of the Systems information, supervisory vis-its are made to the reporters in theHonduran centers, in which price informa-tion is gathered. These visits were also madein Nicaragua and El Salvador, where an up-dating of software and auditing data is takingplace.

Project clientsThe Project clients are agro-industrial

enterprises, public and private institutionsinterested in the agricultural subject, non-governmental organizations, universities,national and international consultants andagencies of different countries that monitorthe behavior of agriculture at a world level.

There was continued collaboration withthe Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock providing the competi-tivity report on grains, fruits and vegetables; additionally, retailprice data for the commitments with INFOAGRO with theregional organizations of the Central America EconomicIntegration System (SIECA) and to the Regional Council ofAgricultural Cooperation of Central America, Mexico and theDominican Republic (CORECA) was delivered.

Miguel Nolasco, M. A.Leader of SIMPAH

Information System of Agricultural

Product Markets of Honduras

Percentage of distribution of broadcasting throughmass media

Radio Televisi n Prensa

68%

2%

30%



INFORMATION SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT MARKETS OF HONDURAS ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004

57

Reporters meetingA meeting of SIMPAH reporters was arranged for the first

time, in this event 11 reporters from the System plus Project tech-nical staff participated, to undertake a revision of procedures, andan up-dating of work methods in both offices and in the field, aswell as to foster an integrated vision of SIMPAH.

This event took place in FHIA offices in La Lima, Cortes, dur-ing which reporters from El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaraguaparticipated. In this event the new requirements that have arisenwith the new system were presented, as well as the report withChemonics International and others for new users.

TrainingIntense training activities took place during 2003; Dr. Joaquin

Arias of the Inter American Agricultural Cooperation Institute

(IICA), came to show us how to use the models for price forecast-ing, the analysis of volatility, among other information tools thatwill assist SIMPAH to add value to the analysis being prepared.

Software for economic-metric analysis (e-view4) and CrystalReports were purchased, directed to a better presentation of theSystems reports, as well as the MPP model of IICA, used in theshort term forecast of prices, specially for dealings with the agri-cultural exchanges.

SIMPAH is presently preparing a listing of strategic products,for which these models will be initially tried out, to assure its fore-casting ability, since markets such as ours have restraints sincethey do not control the volumes, which in turn restrains the fore-cast analysis in time series.

Participants in the annual SIMPAH reporters meeting


Administration


58




To the Members of theHonduran Agricultural Research Foundation (FHIA)

We have audited the general balances of the Honduran Agricultural Research Foundation (FHIA)as of the 31st of December 2003 and 2002, and the corresponding financial statements, and the

accumulated surpluses and cash flows for the years ending on those dates. These financial statementsare the responsibility of the Foundation administration. Our responsibility is to express an opinion onthese financial statements, based on our audit.

We perform our revision in accordance with generally accepted auditing practices. These auditingnorms require planning and executing the audit so as to obtain reasonable assurance that the financialstatements are free from significant errors. An audit includes the examination, through sampling of theevidence supporting the figures and information that appear in the financial statements; an audit alsoincludes an evaluation of the accounting principles used, and the most important accounting estimatesmade by the administration, as well as the overall evaluation of the financial presentation. Due to theabove our auditing provides a reasonable basis for stating our opinion.

In our opinion, the before mentioned financial statements were reasonably present in all their impor-tant aspects, the financial situation of the Honduran Agricultural Research Foundation (FHIA) as of the31st of December, 2003 and 2002, as well as the results of their operations and cash flow for the yearsending on those dates, in accordance with the generally accepted Honduran accounting principles.

Grant Thornton Herrera GuzmanMarch 12th, 2004Honduras, C.A.

Independent Auditors

report




Hernán Vélez, Lic.Administrative Manager

Sonia Ruiz, M.A.E.Internal Auditor

ACTIVO Al 31 de diciembre de

2003 2002

Activo Circulante

Caja y bancos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 11103 437 18 380 497

Inversiones temporales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 298 141 2 969 601

Cuentas por cobrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 19 284 593 14 781 799

Inventarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 1126 921 1 071 268

Total Activo Circulante . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 31 813 092 37 203 165

Inmuebles, maquinaria y equipo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 31 676 563 34 551 709

Inversiones en bonos y fideicomiso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 335 323 201 323 609 714

Activo Diferido . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 23 965 71 846

Otros Activos

Depósitos en garantía . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 32 237 32 237

Otros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 321 650

Total Activo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 398 869 058 395 468 671

PASIVOS Y SALDOS DE FONDO

Pasivo Circulante

Cuentas por pagar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 969 081 3 215 023

Intereses no devengados . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 2 764 270

Retenciones por pagar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 128 150 16 761

Gastos acumulados por pagar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 241 820 417 558

Comisiones por pagar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 277 014 353 280

Cuentas por pagar proyectos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 11 287 836 7 004 295

Total pasivo circulante . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 15 668 171 11 006 917

Obligaciones Diferidas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 696 901 1182 818

SALDO DE FONDO

Patrimonio Proyectos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 23 504 647 21 577 023

Patrimonio FHIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 358 999 339 361 701 913

Total Inversiones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 382 503 986 383 278 936

Total Pasivo e Inversión . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 398 869 058 395 468 671

Balance

Statement



P R E F A C I O ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004

61

Por los años terminados

Al 31 de diciembre de

2003 2002

INGRESOS POR DONACIONES Y OTROS INGRESOS

Intereses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 39 983 778 52 294 174

Donaciones y contribuciones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 11 070 126 12 930 869

Ingresos por servicios técnicos de laboratorios y otros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 10 459 368 6 821 725

Ingresos de proyectos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 378 338 823 303

Otros ingresos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 1 429 614 1 954 175

Diferencial cambiario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 1 505 590 4 957 218

Total Ingresos recibidos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 64 826 814 79 781 464

Gastos Operacionales:

Investigación . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 2 283 066 2 113 354

Proyectos agrícolas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 19 373 682 18 265 331

Unidad técnica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 867 478 654 429

Servicios de laboratorios, agrícolas y técnicos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 12 567 690 11 305 341

Comunicaciones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 3 572 974 3 485 787

Proyecto La Esperanza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 756 937 3 330 194

Proyecto SIMPAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 2 235 268 2 125 676

Proyectos varios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 8 786 280 5 266 560

Gastos generales y de administración . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 9 867 504 9 836 817

Depreciaciones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 4 987 036 4 748 844

Comisiones bancarias y otros gastos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 4 596 784 6 765 587

69 894 699 67 897 920

Cambio en activos netos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. -5,067885 11 883 544

Activo Netos

Al principio del año . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 383 278 936 376 784 669

Ajustes a excedentes de años anteriores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 4 292 936 (4 142012)

Utilidad en venta de activos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. - 11 792

Traslado de pasivos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. - (1 259 057)

Activos netos al final del año . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lps. 382 503 987 383 278 936

Income statement through december 31th, 2003


ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004 P R E F A C I O


DIRECCIÓN GENERAL*Adolfo Martínez, Ph.D.Director General*María Lourdes MendietaSecretaria Ejecutiva

ECONOMÍA AGRÍCOLA*Enid Yamileth Cuellar, Msc.Economista Agrícola

AUDITORÍA INTERNA*Sonia Ruíz, M.A.Contaduría

GERENCIA ADMINISTRATIVA*Angel Hernán Vélez, Lic.ContaduríaGerente Administrativo*Yadira LaffiteauSecretaria Bilingüe

RECURSOS HUMANOS*Antonio Ventura LeónMaestría en Recursos HumanosJefe de Recursos Humanos*Margarito HernándezJefe de Seguridad Interna*Cándida Montes, P.M.Asistente II*Jessica EspinalLicda. Relaciones Industriales Asistente III*Ana Yamileth Vásquez, P.M.Auxiliar I*Martha Mejía, Secr. BilingüeAuxiliar I*María Azucena Gálvez, Secr. BilingüeAuxiliar I*Martha A. Díaz, Secr. Bilingüe Recepcionista

MANTENIMIENTO YSUMINISTROS*José de Jesús Dubón, P.M.Jefe Mantenimiento y Suministros*Raúl E. Cerrato, Lic.Asistente I*Wendy Carolina PinedaSecretaria Bilingüe*José Antonio Brizuela P.M.Asistente II*Milton Murillo, P.M.Auxiliar I

CONTABILIDAD*Sandra Flores, P.M.Contadora General*Marcia Dolores Mejía, P.M.Asistente II*Marlene Enamorado, P.M.Asistente II

DIRECCIÓN DE INVESTIGACIÓN*Dale T. Krigsvold, Ph.D.Director de Investigación*Irene Patricia LópezLicda. Admón. de EmpresasSecretaria Ejecutiva

PROGRAMA DE BANANOY PLÁTANO*Juan Fernando Aguilar, Ph.D.Líder del Programa*Salomón Mendoza, Ing. Agr.Asistente I*Enrique Tovar, Ing. Agr.Asistente I*Leonel Emilio Castillo, Ing. Agr.Investigador Asociado I

PROGRAMA DE CACAO YAGROFORESTERÍA*Jesús Sánchez, M.Sc.Líder del Programa*Aroldo Dubón, Ing. Agr.Investigador Asistente II*Rolando Martínez, Ing. Agr.Investigador Asistente II*Enrique Ramiro Maldonado, P.A.Capataz

PROGRAMA DEDIVERSIFICACIÓN*José Alfonso, Ing. Agr.Líder del Programa (a.i.)*Teófilo Ramírez, Ing. Agr.Investigador Asistente I*Maximiliano Ortega, Ing. Agr.Investigador Asistente III*Ena Posadas, Promotora AmbientalTécnico I*Judith VillalobosSecretaria Bilingüe

PROGRAMA DE HORTALIZAS*Denis Ramírez, Ph.DLíder del Programa*Jaime Iván Jiménez, M.Sc.Investigador Asistente II*Mario Ramón Várgas, Ing. Agr.Investigador Asistente II*Gerardo Petit Avila, Ing. Agr.Investigador Asistente III*Ada Margarita DiscuaSecretaria Bilingüe*José Renán Marcía SantosAsistente I

FHIA LA ESPERANZA*Antonio Romero, Ing. Agr.Líder Proyecto*José María Nieto, Ing. Agr.Investigador Asistente III*Marco Antonio Domínguez, Ing. Agr.Asistente I*Jorge Gámez, Ing. Agr.Asistente I*Abelardo Fiallos, Ing. Agr.Asistente I*Nury MelgarSecretaria Bilingüe

PROYECTO DE ARROZ*Luis Brizuela, M.Sc.Investigador Asociado III

CÓMPUTO*Raúl Fajardo, Ing. en SistemasJefe de Cómputo*Irma Gonzáles Vásquez, P.M.Asistente III*Ramón Ventura, P.M.Técnico I

Technical and Administrative Staff

Antonio Ventura, M.A.Head of Human Resources


LABORATORIO QUÍMICOAGRÍCOLA*Julio Salomón Herrera, M.Sc.Jefe de Laboratorio*Elizabeth Peña López Licda. enQuímica y Farmacia.Asistente II*Héctor Salvador GuevaraAsistente II*Andrés Deras, P.M.Asistente III*Francis MoralesTécnico II*Cinthia CruzSecretaria Bilingüe

LABORATORIO DE ANÁLISIS DERESIDUOS DE PLAGUICIDAS*Eda Amalia LópezTécnico I

PROTECCIÓN VEGETAL*Mauricio Rivera, Ph.D.Jefe del Departamento*Hernán Espinoza, Ph.D.Entomólogo*José Cristino Melgar, Ph.D.Fitopatólogo*Luis Ferando Durán, M.Sc.Investigador Asistente III*Julio César Coto, Ing. Agr. Investigador Asistente III*Jorge A. Dueñas Ing. Agr.Asistente I*María Eugenia DíazSecretaria Bilingüe

POSCOSECHA*Héctor Augusto Aguilar, M.Sc.Investigador Asociado III*Elsa MachadoSecretaria Bilingüe

LABORATORIO DE CULTIVO DE TEJIDOS*Juan Fernado Aguilar, Ph.D.Jefe del Laboratorio*Griselda Yolanda MaldonadoTécnico I*Iván OviedoTécnico II*Martha PinedaTécnico II*Suyapa Carolina GaleanoTécnico II

SERVICIOS AGRÍCOLAS*Roberto Fromm, Ing. Agr.Jefe de Unidad*Nepty Leticia MejíaSecretaria Bilingüe

COMUNICACIONES*Roberto Tejada, M.Sc.Gerente de Comunicaciones*Rosa María LópezSecretaria Bilingüe

BIBLIOTECA*Marcio Perdomo, Lic. en InformáticaJefe de Biblioteca*Alejandrina Cruz Cribas, Bach. CC. LL.Auxiliar II*Lourdes Amaya, P.M.Auxiliar II

PUBLICACIONES*Marco Tulio Bardales, Ing. Agr.Jefe de Publicaciones*Hary Nelson Tróchez, Diseñador GráficoAsistente I*Angel Radamés PachecoDiseñador GráficoAsistente II*Elvira Elena FloresSecretaria Bilingüe*Arlex Giral, Téc. en Impresos Asistente III*Armando Martínez LanzaAuxiliar II

SIMPAH*Miguel Enrique Nolasco, M.A.Jefe del Simpah*María del Carmen Elvir, Lic. en PeriodismoAnalista Diseminador*Marcio Rodas, Lic. en InformáticaAnalista Programador de Sistemas*Manuel Eduardo Sosa, Lic. Admón.Empresas Agropecuarias.Investigador de Mercados*Lester Mariano Sánchez,Bach. ComputaciónAnalista de Mercados*César Rodríguez, Bach. ComputaciónInvestigador de Mercados*Alex GómezBach. ComputaciónAsistente Analista Programador*Belinda Elizabeth PinedaSecretaria Comercial*Jhoni Alfredo CanizalesConserje

T E C H N I C A L A N D A D M I N I S T R A T I V E S T A F F F A C I O ANNUAL REPORT 2003 - 2004


HONDURAN FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

ANNUAL REPORT2003 - 2004

Graphic Design:Agricultural Communication Center of FHIA

Pictures:Technical staff of FHIA

November, 2004

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