EFE / La Paz
The Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO), an entity that brings together agricultural producers in the Bolivian region of Santa Cruz, identified the lack of legal security and smuggling as the main problems of the sector that this Monday presented its evaluation of the 2021 management.
“The lack of legal security, the disproportionate increase in smuggling, are the two elements that have marked this 2021,” said the president of the CAO, Óscar Justiniano, in an appearance before the media in Santa Cruz, the country’s economic engine.
Justiniano identified the lack of legal security with the “subjugation” of land, such as the one that took place a few weeks ago in a disputed property where an armed group took civilians, policemen and journalists hostage, something that has not been sanctioned, he regretted. .
He also stated that “excessive and growing” smuggling directly attacks the country’s producers and industries.
You can also read: The coca business collapses due to half-price Peruvian smuggling
The lack of legal security and smuggling are related “to different levels of Government” and “have affected the economic reactivation” in a context in which the effects of the pandemic and “recurring problems” such as droughts also affect.
The CAO president mentioned that what delays the growth of the agricultural sector are the few advances in technology and biotechnology that would help “improve productivity, reduce production costs, stabilize domestic demand and project towards international markets.”
“We urgently need the use and research of new biotechnological elements both in soybeans and the use of genetically modified seeds in corn, sugar cane and cotton,” he remarked.
Justiniano said that “for the third consecutive year, the cultivated area is practically stagnant” and gave as an example “a very slight growth” of 1.42% in the planting area in 2021 compared to 2020.
In addition, there are the effects of phenomena such as frost and drought that, in the case of this year’s winter season, “have affected 40% of the crops” in Santa Cruz, which resulted in losses of close to the 21% and decreased performance, he noted.
You can also read: Exporters denounce damages due to the fall of the virtual Customs platform
The CAO highlighted that agriculture “is one of the most important sectors for boosting the Bolivian economy” and the proof of this is that for the first time in 16 years the sector has exceeded the level of hydrocarbon exports with 18% of contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The future is marked by agricultural exports,” Justiniano said.
The CAO document on the annual balance also identifies 2022 as a period in which public or state, private and community aspects have to be integrated to take advantage of good grain prices, demand for beef and favorable contracts. for biofuels.
“Food production to supply the large international markets is the goal,” said the CAO representative.
