Puerto Rico will receive additional funding to increase its exports of local specialty crops as part of the US Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

The funding was announced as part of $101 million in grants to support producers who supply fruits, vegetables, nuts and other nutritious foods to millions of Americans each day.

Caribbean Business reports that part of the funding will be used to train coffee farmers in Puerto Rico on tropical agroforestry as well establishing a model certified organic coffee nursery and continuing to develop a knowledge network in organic coffee production. The aim is for coffee farmers to receive premium prices for organic coffee at local, national and international markets.

The $101 million will roughly be split in two; half going to initiatives across the country to strengthen markets and expand economic opportunities for local and regional producers. The other half will support new and continuing research and extension activities to address challenges and opportunities for growers and businesses that rely on a sustainable, profitable specialty crops industry.

All 50 of the US states plus the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the US Virgin Islands will receive grants this year.

“By investing in projects that stimulate growth and development for specialty crop growers of all sizes, we're helping American farmers establish a marketplace for new businesses opportunities in each region of the country,” said US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Read the full story: USDA: $382K to boost specialty crops