JARABACOA.- Agriculture minister Salvador Jiménez said production under a system of controlled environment has grown, and affirmed that a record 43.3 million pounds of vegetables will be harvested this year.

The official said 2008’s total vegetable production increased by 15 million pounds, or 53 percent more than the previous year\s 28.3 million pounds.

Jiménez spoke during an exhibition on the advances in controlled-environment systems in the country, in which producers, technicians, and national and foreign dealers and investors participated.

He said fruit production showed excellent results with the implementation of the Project Greenhouses. "From the 1.6 million square meters of structures we had in 2007, we reached 2.2 million square meters this year, an increase of 38.6 percent."

In that regard the Agriculture Minister said vegetables grown under protected environment have a guaranteed market, via contracts previously established with companies in the country and abroad.

The official said of the 43.3 million pounds of vegetables harvested, around 30 million pounds were exported, or 68.5 percent, with around 25.1 million dollars in income, whereas local market sales reached RD$358 million.