U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

PubAg

Main content area

Mechanizing Chile Peppers: Challenges and Advances in Transitioning Harvest of New Mexico's Signature Crop

Author:
Stephanie J. Walker, Paul A. Funk
Source:
HortTechnology 2014 v.24 no.3 pp. 281-284
ISSN:
1063-0198
Subject:
Capsicum annuum, North American Free Trade Agreement, acreage, equipment, hot peppers, industry, mechanical harvesting, mechanization, plant damage, Chile, New Mexico
Abstract:
New Mexican-type red and green chile (Capsicum annuum) is important to New Mexico’s identity and economy. Producers began experimenting with mechanical harvest in the mid-1960s, but efforts stalled in the 1970s. Adverse impact to production following the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement spurred renewed interest in chile mechanization. Through private and public collaboration, the red chile industry in New Mexico has successfully transitioned with more than 80% of domestic acreage currently mechanized. Green chile has proven to be more challenging with fruit damage and lack of efficient mechanical stem removal posing key obstacles. Recent identification and developments in equipment have provided necessary components for mechanization of green chile, but must be scaled-up to production volumes.
Agid:
5695447
Handle:
10113/5695447