AgroaldeaINTERVIEW WITH JACINTO GODOY, COAGRISÁN MANAGER.
Agroaldea- What does the approval of the Strategic Plan for Tomato Exports mean for the sector??
Jacinto Godoy.- For the first time in history, tomato exports will have the aid included in the Strategic Plan, regardless of transport aid. We are going to receive aid for production where, In addition, the Central and Regional Government, regardless of the political color that governs, They have committed to assume the budget item that Brussels does not approve, regarding the modification of the POSEI that is currently being studied. This means that the sector is insured, As minimum, just like the banana.
A.- Is this commitment to which you refer on the part of the State and the Government of the Canary Islands ratified??
JG.- The political forces represented in the Parliament of the Canary Islands took office last Thursday in the Plenary Session of the Chamber, with the unanimous vote of the Strategic Plan, this commitment. For me, the same as for the rest of the colleagues, It was a historic day since the support was reflected in the Chamber and outside it, to the point of many deputies telling me that “the Canary Islands cannot afford to lose the tomato sector”.
A.- Sr. Godoy, the future has been guaranteed, but how is the present still?
JG.- The situation of this campaign is not turning out well. Pests are being fought and viruses are being confronted with all the means at our disposal.. However, The fruit we are producing is of very good quality. Markets tend to improve, but they don't depend on us. What we are doing is fighting to get ahead. Staying still does not feed us or solve the problem. In fact, The aid from the Strategic Plan will not arrive until the end of this campaign or the beginning of the next. It's already something. I must appreciate the understanding of financial entities as well as the support of our politicians. But I especially have to recognize the facilities of the suppliers. The sum of everything, It is what allows us to continue.
A.- Approval of the Plan, Does it provide a letter of guarantee for financial institutions when refinancing?.
JG.- The five financial entities that operate in La Aldea already have the news of the approval of the Plan. In brief, I will begin to meet again with your directors from Coagrisán, maintaining what was agreed in the Special Information Commission created by the City Council. This fact changes things, because the real problem is not viruses or pests. The big problem is the carryover of debts from previous campaigns. This debt must be refinanced over ten or fifteen years..
I trust that the approval of this Plan will be valued by the banks to the right extent to be eligible for refinancing under good conditions..
A.- Regarding the measures that have been adopted to combat the whitefly, there has been some controversy. Is it true that changing the mesh has been of no use??
JG.- To that I am going to respond that the crops that are alive in Coagrisán are the ones that have changed the mesh. It is true that the white fly has tried to circumvent the measure, as would any living being whose goal is survival. However, we have shown, and you can see it at any time, that the crops that have resisted best are those that have made the change. Notice, that despite the deadline for aid for the change having ended, We have received many late requests, Which means we're not wrong..
But I want to tell you that today my batteries are charged and that is what I want to convey and if the fly mutates again and we have to change to plastic, then it will be done., because now we can say that we have a future and that is what is really important to face any eventuality.
A.- At the end of the parliamentary session, the Minister of Agriculture, Pilar Merino, announced that the next 21 November will be in La Aldea. What will be dealt with it?
JG.- We will not only talk about tomatoes. We will also do it with vegetables, banana trees and livestock. When you enter the boundaries of La Aldea, the sector together with the mayor, which is also co-responsible even if they are from different parties, We will address the agrarian future of this town and we will try to lay the foundations. In addition, I invite the political forces present, economists, banks, etc., If they have a better solution with the laws we have on our territory today, Tell me that I will be the first to support you.
A.- For the part that touches us, We congratulate you on what you have achieved and we thank you for the interview..
JG.- I give that back to the youth of this town and the village population because today we can say that there is a future..