Peru's agricultural minister Luis Ginocchio has pledged to reduce rural poverty from 54% to 35% and increase agricultural exports annually by 20% over the next four years.

Ginocchio also highlighted  improving water efficiency by 50% and sustainable management of resources as key goals of the 2012-16 agricultural sectoral plan.

"Peru will start a new cycle of agricultural development from 2012 ... a historic cycle where rural Peru will drive policies and strategies towards the less fortunate," said the minister.

Improving competitiveness through protection and promotion of organic production, improved sanitary measures and strengthening registration of agricultural inputs were also stressed.

"The agricultural policies are directed towards reducing the gap in competitiveness of the country's agricultural production structure, helping reduce poverty levels in the countryside, adapting to new scenarios generated by economic or social factors of an international or national nature, and facing the effects associated with climatic factors,"stated the plan.

Over the last 10 years the highest cultivation growth has been in mangoes at 119%, followed by avocados at 104%, palm oil at 91%, cocoa at 87%, asparagus at 47% and grapes at 46%.

Peru currently has a total area of ​​128.5 million hectares, of which 6%, equivalent to 7.6 million hectares, has the capacity for agricultural development.

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