For Leonel Torres, breadfruit (“pana”) is not just a crop. It is a lifelong connection. Growing up with a breadfruit tree at his grandfather’s home, Leo developed an appreciation for the tree early on. Today, he serves as Chief Farming Officer at La Torre Agrícola, where he oversees one of the largest breadfruit nurseries on the island.
Breadfruit has long been part of Puerto Rico’s food culture, appearing in everything from tostones to mofongo. Now, it is also becoming part of a growing movement focused on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and community resilience.
One of the biggest challenges with breadfruit is propagation. The trees are notoriously difficult to reproduce using traditional methods. Leo is one of the first in Puerto Rico to implement tissue culture propagation, a method that allows for faster and more sustainable production of breadfruit trees. This approach helps ensure a reliable supply of healthy trees for farmers across the island.
Education is also a central part of Leo’s work. In collaboration with Professor José Zamora from the University of Puerto Rico, he recently hosted a breadfruit master class for students interested in agriculture. Participants not only learned about cultivation techniques, but also received breadfruit trees to begin their own journeys in farming.
As more local companies develop products made from breadfruit flour and other derivatives, the demand for high quality raw materials continues to grow. Farmers like Leo are helping build the foundation for a stronger breadfruit economy in Puerto Rico, one rooted in sustainability and opportunity.
We are proud to see leaders like Leo Torres expanding access to breadfruit and sharing its benefits with communities across the island. The future of breadfruit in Puerto Rico is growing, one tree at a time.
Thank you to our guest blogger, Adriana Talavera.
