The agriculture office of the regional executive in Murcia, Spain has said it will dedicate €3.5 million to convert 700 hectares of apricot orchards to newer varieties under the national orchard renewal scheme.

Growers will have until 12 July to apply for the funding to improve their apricot output and see a move away from the dominant variety Bulida. Growers will also be able to plant peach, cherry, plum, apple or pear trees instead in a bid to respond to market demand.

Apricot producers had previously missed out on funding from the national scheme as some 846ha were converted to Bulida production from 2004-09 before it came into force.

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