Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski on Tuesday expressed the government's commitment to efforts to promote alternative crops such as the Peru Cacao Alliance (PCA), a public-private initiative to increase alternative crops among former coca-growers.
"I am fully committed to this major endeavor involving organization, technological and financial support that shows Peru can do it," Mr. Kuczynski said during the launch of the second edition of PCA.
The Head of State went on to add the initiative benefits thousands of farmers, thus contributing to the reputation of said alternative crop.
He also highlighted the program is proof that drug cultivation can only prosper in areas with scarce alternatives, so these must be developed in places where they are lacking or non-existent, particularly the Apurimac-Ene-Mantaro Rivers Valley (VRAEM).
"We must come up with something to do there [at VRAEM]. First of all, we need to build infrastructure: schools, roads, the possibility to develop crops and think about which crops to grow. This is all possible," he assured.
On the other hand, the statesman addressed the potential of cacao, whose production could double or triple.
Lastly, Mr. Kuczynski highlighted the country's high-quality coffee. In this respect, he proposed that a Peruvian brand be created to facilitate market access, as was done with pisco in the past.
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