William Daga Ávalos, fruit specialist of the National Institute for Agrarian Innovation (INIA), said that the production of papaya in the last 8 years went back to remote areas due to allele virus (Ringspot, Bunchy Top, Phytophthora) which irretrievably destroy crops, taking over the planted areas.
The specialist explained that in order to save the papaya crop in the areas of Chanchamayo, Satipo and Pucallpa, genetically transformed seeds should be sowed (transgenic) to save production and productivity of the fruit, which threatens to set back even further damages on biodiversity and deforestation of Peru's jungle.
"People have a wrong idea of the word transgenic, in this case applies to the implementation of a specific gene to alter the genetic resistance of the crop and allow it to be immune to damage caused by alleles, the public should be better informed in technology advances and the study of genetics, allowing us to stop damage before it is irreversible to various crops", said Daga.
Daga Ávalos said that by the beginning of the 2012 it is planned to have pilot fields planted with improved papaya seeds to adapt the culture to the area, estimating, according to Ávalos, that in three years exports could be doubled and deforestation of the jungle prevented.
