MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Federal support for Patagonia small scale farmers

A Patagonian farmer

Argentine Agriculture Secretary Javier de Urquiza and the governor of Chubút province, Mario das Neves, signed an agreement whereby the PRODERPA Patagonian Rural Development Project will start to be implemented.

In a first stage some 6 million US dollars will be invested in support programs for small-scale farmers in Patagonia. After the agreement was signed Urquiza pointed out the possibilities that the project opens up for small-scale farmers in the Patagonian region. "We want the project to change their way of life, to make it easier for them to get their goods to market, that by producing fruits, vegetables and fibers they can become more integrated into the country's economic and social fabric." Mario Das Neves in turn pointed out that the project will help reverse a poverty problem that has plagued the region for years. The Argentine government forecasts that some 36.000 people in the region, 15.000 directly and 21.000 indirectly will benefit from the project. Some 29 million US dollars in a three year period will be ploughed into the project and will be provided by the Federal Government, the International Agricultural Development Fund and the respective provinces.