Peaches, plums and apricots are among the stone fruits found in Bolivia. These fruits, mainly the peach, are produced in all the valleys and at various altitudes. Depending on the microclimate, it is possible to find different varieties and to obtain different levels of quality.

The production of peaches is in third place among traditional crops in Bolivia. A good part of the internal market is covered with an estimated 6,470 hectares planted and 38,131 metric tonnes produced. Local prices depend on the quality offered. However, these prices can be improved if the quality of the product is improved.

Since 2003, the Stone Fruit Program of Fundación Valles has been promoting the competitiveness of the production, the validation of new varieties, business plans to strengthen business management, commercial orchard establishment and management and plans for exportation of dried fruit. The Applied Technological Innovation Programs executed in this line were able to introduce technology for agricultural management, selection, classification, packing and application of quality standards; validation of new varieties, the propagation with certification, water management, pruning and thinning are parts of the package.

The introduction of handmade dehydrators to improve the health and safety of the dried peaches and the development and diversification of new sub-products, canning, labelling and certificates are already visible in the areas of intervention. The interventions in the peach chain demonstrated achievements on an evolutionary scale that determined the progressive expansion of the Program.

Coverage: 22 Municipalities
Cochabamba (6), Chuquisaca (1), Tarija (5), Santa Cruz (6), La Paz (4)

• Development and dissemination of integrated crop management postharvest, processing and marketing packages
• Establishments of parcels with rootstock mother plants and evaluation of new varieties
• Support to establish the first fruit nursery (BOLIFRU) accredited for the production of certified plants in the Municipality of Vallegrande and implementation of two commercial nurseries in the valleys of La Paz (Sapahaqui and Luribay)
• Making of protocols of good agricultural practices and good manufacturing practices for fruit trees and the peach quality standards in coordination with IBNORNCA (Instituto Boliviano de Normas de Calidad, which means Bolivian Institute of Quality Standards) and the SEDAG (Servicio Departamental de Agricultura, which means Departmental Agricultural Service) of Cochabamba
• Monitoring the fruit fly
• Establishment of supply units in the grower organizations
• Design and manufacture of classification, selection and packing machines under quality control; introduction of a cardboard 10-kg box
• Development of processed products and establishment of raw material gathering systems, fruit processing protocols, and calculation of production costs and selling prices
• Design, manufacture and distribution of fixed and mobile dehydrators for making byproducts
• Establishment of marketing channels for the byproducts
• Promotion of the formation of dehydrated and fresh fruit processing companies and marketers