Murcia’s tomato industry is fighting back against growing competition from Morocco with an initiative from the regional Institute for Agronomic Research and Development (IMIDA) to identify and develop the best native varieties for export.
The study will analyse the characteristics of 47 traditional varieties and strains of tomato taken from IMIDA’s germplasm collection, which comprises more than 2,000 types of tomato, according to a report in Murcia Today. The aim is to identify those that are best suited to the local climate and soil, give a commercially viable yield and will prove attractive to consumers, either because of their superior taste or smell or because of their novelty value.
Among the varieties being researched are mountain-grown tomatoes; black, yellow and orange varieties; heart-shaped and elongated tomatoes as well as more well known varieties such as cherry and Muchamiel tomatoes.
Once identified, the varieties meeting all of these criteria can not only be planted commercially, but also used to develop more productive varieties in the future. It is also hoped that planting varieties native to this part of Spain will enable more sustainable production techniques to be used since in theory the plants will require less irrigation and soil treatments.
Initially the programme is focused on the area of águilas, where farmers are keen to add value to their winter crops, but eventually it will be extended to other parts of Murcia.
