USAID/Nicaragua: New processing plant for plantains

New processing plant for plantains

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in conjunction with Michigan State University, will support the construction of a plantain processing plant for the 47 members of the EXPOMA plantain cooperative, located in Altagracia, Ometepe.

This new facility will help producers comply with the high-quality requirements demanded by their buyers in Honduras and in other countries in the region.

Construction of the processing plant is part of the support USAID is offering plantain producers in the Department of Rivas.

ABOUT EXPOMA

Since it began, EXPOMA has been dedicated to producing fresh and peeled plantain for export to Honduras and other Central American countries. Among its buyers is the Dinant Corporation in Honduras, which manufactures Yummies snacks and, particularly, the Zambos-label fried plantains sold in the regional market.

EXPOMA has received technical, logistic, and commercial assistance - made possible through USAID financing - from Michigan State University; and this assistance has improved the sale price of its products.

RESULTS TO DATE

Sales to the Dinant Corporation in Honduras generate profits of over $57,000 annually in the September to April season.
Direct and indirect employment provided in the zone to over 70 people.