The Costa Rican commodities for consumption, such as rice, beans, dairy products, pork, chicken and beef are in check due to their low productivity.
This is shown through two studies conducted by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), at the request of Helio Fallas, vice president of the Republic.
The studies found that the factors affecting the low productivity are the lack of technology, soil degradation, increasing dependence on fertilizers and agrochemicals, the high costs from the farm to consumer and the market structure controlled by few people.
The research, conducted by experts Rafael Trejos and Carlos Pomareda, with support from the Central American Academy, focused on analyzing the factors affecting the competitiveness of these products and estimated the impacts that the Free Trade among the Dominican Republic, Central America and the United States could have on them.
To solve the problems, the researchers suggested that innovation, quality improvement and added value to products should be promoted, as well as partnerships.
Regarding non-sectoral policies, a national strategy for irrigation and drainage is necessary, as explained in the studies.
The studies were presented at a seminar held at IICA headquarters, which also brought together officials from the ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Trade.