Important advances in the cultivation of subtropical crops have been made in the provinces of Granada and Málaga in recent years. The crops of greatest economic importance in the region are, especially, avocados and chirimoyos (custard apples), and to a lesser extent, Japanese medlars. The Town Hall of Almuñécar took the initiative of founding the Municipal Subtropical Fruit Board, an organisation intended to provide local farmers with advice and assistance regarding modern techniques and the specialized methods required  for these crops, which were previously unknown in the area, as well as to communicate the results of the latest research activities. Among the goals of this organization, according to its Statutes, is to "promote research in the field of subtropical crops by establishing and maintaining a specific Experimental Centre for this purpose. One function of this Centre is to provide a permanent consultation facility for farmers, which might in the future become an Agricultural College specialized in such crops."

The Board is intended to provide a non-profit making service, and its services are free of charge. It was established in 1984, when the Town Hall acquired agricultural land, transformed it to create terraces, and planted the first avocados, chirimoyos and mangos in 1986, to which other varieties were later added. Thus, the "El Zahorí" experimental farm came into being. At present it receives a grant from the Andalusian Regional Government for a project to study the environmental impact and the rational use of water, fertilizers and chemical products in the production of subtropical crops. Another, financed by the E.U., is under preparation, to study the risks of soil degradation, its prevention, and measures for recovery. 

CROPS 

The varieties currently produced are:
Avocados - Bacon, Fuerte, Pinkerton, Hass. Others in the experimental stage.
Chirimoyo - Fino de jete, Campas, Pazicas, Cholán, Cumbe.
Mango - Carmen, Glenn, Haden, Irwin, Keitt, Kent, Kensington, Lippons, Manzanillo, Nuñez, Osteen, Otts, Sensation, Super Haden, Tolbert, Tommy Atkins, Valencia Pride, Zill. From these, the 6 or 7 that are best adapted to the area are being identified.
Lichees - Brewster, Mauritius, Way Chee, Salathiel, Haak Yip, Fay Zee Siu, Yook How Pow. The adaptation of these to local conditions is being studied.