prices conspire against their own government agricultural plan THE NATIONAL - Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Economy / 4
Economy AGRO The goal is to produce 29.5 million tons of food
Government agricultural sabotage his plan land interventions
Investment in the field falls expropriations Agribusiness and low prices paid to producers
Katie Hernandez
The Government's agricultural plan foresees 50% increase in production of maize, sorghum, rice, coffee, sunflower, sugar cane, beans, potatoes and vegetables, going from 16 million tonnes were harvested in 1998 to more than 24.4 million this year. In addition to 4.8 million tonnes in livestock such as beef, chicken, pork and dairy products, fruits and 314,500 tonnes of fisheries and aquaculture. The objective of the Executive is that farmers with bank financing public and private, to harvest more than 29.5 million tons of food between 2010 and 2011.
A goal that looks unreal for some producers, when the government promotes planting one hand and on the other land intervention as Tiznao in Guarico River, the Valley of Turbio in Lara, the southern Lake Maracaibo, and the valleys of Aragua and Carabobo, among other regions. President Hugo Chavez, to account in the National Assembly, said that in 10 years had been involved 2.8 million hectares.
Fedenaga, meanwhile, says that more than 600 farms have been affected by this process. The Executive maintains that the production of milk increased 13% from 1.9 million tons in 2008 to 2,180,000 last year, however, the president of Fedenaga, Manuel Cipriano Heredia, claims decreased. "It is estimated that barely got 1.46 million tons and are continuing to import 50%," he said.
For beef, the Agriculture Ministry report said that production rose 2% to reach 520,101 tons, which also looks wrong to Fedenaga because the imports were authorized last year by 342,000 tons and there were only 240,000. As 59% of the meat is imported and only 41% is national.
The goal of Government is to get this year 2.4 million tonnes of milk and meat 568,000, a goal that the president of the guild is not viable as they continue intervening land and there is no price adjustment.
missing incentives.
Fedeagro president, Pedro Rivas, admits that the government's plan is ambitious. "We're evaluating, some things can play and run. We should conclude the goals according to the reality of the field, including the difficulties they had with the weather. It is also necessary that the government encourages farmers and motivate them to grow through better pricing and compensation, " said.
He said there are many farmers who are in debt and did not fare well last year, making it necessary to give them better prices for the crop.
Items critical.
- White Corn: The government's plan is to plant 650,000 hectares of this area to achieve 2.28 million tonnes between 2010 and 2011. However, in 2009 due to drought and many farmers have migrated to the cultivation of cereal yellow because it gives more performance on average only about 400,000 planted acres and production was reduced to 700,000 tonnes. Precooked industry requires 1.2 million tonnes to ensure food manufacturing, which is why reports a deficit of 500,000 tonnes which will be imported in mid-April. Farmers expect an adjustment in price is fixed at 900 Bolivars per ton, plus 100 bolivars incentive paid by industry.
- Rice: planting is planned 267,100 hectares to produce 1.37 million tons of paddy rice. Fevearroz The report indicates that in 2009 were planted 213,000 hectares and production reached 852,000 tons, due to low yield caused by drought and pests. Producers indicate that the estimated goal can be achieved by the Government if weather conditions are for the winter planting season which begins in March. "We need to recover the reservoirs that can be counted later with enough water for irrigation during the summer," said a farmer. Producers hope a review of prices due to inflation, rising wages and the devaluation impact costs. For a ton of paddy rice industry pays 1,200 Bolivars.
- Sugar planting is estimated at 136,792 hectares, a harvest of 9.10 million hectares of cane during the harvest 2010-2011. This goal contrasts with the 8.2% drop in production FESOCA registered between 2009 and 2010 when it went from 7.3 million tonnes to 6.7 million, which generated a deficit of 700,000 tons has been taken that matter, a situation exacerbated by the recent decision by Brazil to close its exports due to global shortages. Inxdican cane growers that to achieve the goal that draws the Government should be more funding, higher prices and identify new areas for planting. A kilo of sugar is sold to consumers at 2.85 Bs.
- Coffee: The goal is to plant 222,487 hectares and produce 83,687 tons equivalent to 1.8 million quintals (bags of 46 kilos each). However, the last 4 years has accentuated the fall of this item to the point that last year imported more than 200,000 quintals and only managed to harvest in the country 1 million. Moreover, the price is set below cost and the sector continues threatened expropriation.
