EL PASO, Texas -- New Mexico's harvest of the green chile crop is just a couple of weeks away, and experts already believe it will be a very strong and plentiful harvest.

Stephanie Walker, a chile breeding researcher at New Mexico State University, said the chile fields look very good and the plants are loaded with peppers.

"As long as Mother Nature cooperates for the rest of season, we will have an excellent crop," said Walker.

The New Mexico green chile crop has had some difficult years recently due to insect problems and disease.

In the state's top chile-producing area, Luna County, 25 percent of the crop was affected by disease and parasites during the 2008 harvest.

Experts in Luna County said the chile fields "look phenomenal" this season. The county extension office said some growers are already preparing to harvest.