Future unsure for troubled New Mexico green chile production

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Green chiles, the signature crop of New Mexico, are in danger.

As this year’s harvest begins, labor shortages, drought and foreign competition have hurt production in the state.

Farmers and producers say shrinking acreage set aside for the crop also highlights the need for changes in the industry that has helped define New Mexico for generations.

To rejuvenate production, investors and inventors are testing machines that would harvest and de-stem the crop.

The delicate chiles are now picked by hand, and problems with bruising and the removal of stems have made it difficult to make the change to machines.

Ed Ogaz, owner of chile wholesaler Seco Spice Co., prefers the old ways and believes farmers need more laborers to improve production.