Government invested more than 1,176 million pesos in support of farming activity
The Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Fernando Mattos, headed this Wednesday the 5th the First National Farm Congress, which took place in Trinidad, Flores department. The hierarch highlighted the effort made to maintain the productive structure in the face of the climate and water crisis. The Emergency Agricultural Fund allocated more than 1,176 million pesos to serve producers throughout the country.
The undersecretary of the portfolio, Juan Ignacio Buffa; the mayor of Flores, Fernando Echeverría, and the national director of the Farm, Nicolás Chiesa. The authorities shared the day with some 200 producers, with whom they exchanged about the present and the future of agricultural activity.
Mattos recognized the effort made by the sector and the Executive through the redirection of resources “to keep the productive structure standing in times of difficulty.” The Secretary of State believed that a solution must be found to the structural problem of the farm, in which any additional unit that is produced undermines the price and affects the economy and profitability of the establishment.
In addition, he recalled the support mechanisms and additional aid granted to rural producers, such as soft loans through República Microfinanzas, as well as the facilities in the payment of tax obligations and contributions to the Banco de Previsión Social (BPS). The hierarch assured that this farming activity is a priority and is considered a strategic sector.
He also mentioned that it covers various realities, each with its logic and need for support. For this reason, he maintained, it is necessary to talk about the future and reconsider the current dependence on the domestic market, as well as cooperation with others, which can lead to exportable items that function as an alternative for production. In this sense, he pointed out the international insertion carried out by the current administration.
As of the declaration of the agricultural emergency, the Emergency Agricultural Fund allocated more than 1,176 million pesos to serve 5,165 livestock, dairy, fruit, horticultural, beekeeping, poultry, and farmers. In addition, 1,425 throughout the country received some 500 million pesos through soft loans from Microfinance Republic, with zero interest rate and a repayment period of five years, two grace and three payment.
Chiesa, meanwhile, explained that the Farm Development Fund will execute more than 670 million pesos this year, setting a record. He indicated that it is direct support to the sector in non-reimbursable loans. Likewise, he informed that soft loans through the Emergency Agricultural Fund will exceed 600 million pesos.
The director asserted that, just as the crisis is historical, so are the financial aid and affirmed that it is necessary for it to rain to recover productive activity. Finally, he highlighted the importance of listening to the stakeholders and added that the number of producers registered in the National Fruit and Vegetable Registry has increased and the same trend is expected for beekeepers.
