MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine farm equipment sold to Falklands' farmer

In an “unprecedented” operation an Argentine company has sold sophisticated farming equipment for delivery in the Falkland Islands, reports Buenos Aires newspaper La Nación in its Tuesday edition.

Apparently the operation was done through a British agent and is expected to be delivered to the Islands either by Montevideo or Chile. The equipment is a direct seeding machine for implanting pasture without the need of previously ploughing the land and according to La Nacion is a farming technique that has taken strongly in Argentina in the last two decades.

"I'm sending the invoice to my representative in Britain, Robert Bruce with whom I did the deal. The equipment is to be shipped through Montevideo or Chile", said Enrique Bertini head of the farm equipment factory in Rosario, Santa Fe province, which carries his family's name.

Bertini manufactures an estimated 270 seeding machines of this type annually of which some 7 to 8% are exported. The equipment has a cost in Rosario of approximately 10.000 US dollars and has the capacity of seeding seventeen furrows at a time, totalling 3.5 metres width.

According to La Nacion the seeding machine will be shipped to H. Gierson, who had previously through internet showed great interest in seed implantation in natural pasture. Apparently an envoy by the name of Douglas Martin checked the equipment and not only confirmed the operation, but requested the Bertini company representation in the Falkland Islands.

"He was very much interested in becoming our dealer in the Islands", said Mr. Bertini.

Asked if the operation had been reported to the Argentine Foreign Affairs ministry, Mr. Bertini said, "I don't see why; it's a private transaction and whatever happens with the equipment it figures as an export to Uruguay".

"For us it's just another sale, although a symbolic sale", pointed out Mr. Bertini.