More and better land: promise of a better future

"The experts were wonderful and helped me organize my cultivars", says Julio Bocini, horticulturist. He has a beard, and wears a blue hat to protect himself from the sun. He says he is happy. "Now I can work a larger surface without neglecting my products. I have more and better land, and enough water that I do not waste".

The rural area of Montevideo provides a green belt to the capital city. Between December and February the prunes and apricots produce fruits, among a variety of other fruits and vegetables. Cattle is abundant, and goats and cows graze close to the highway. This represents the livelihood of close to 8,000 people.

Andrés Hartounian started less than a year ago with the production of goat milk. He saved money, and bought land and some cattle to build his dream. He is among the workers who are part of the sustainable production program.

During 2012, CAF and the Administration of Montevideo carried out a project called "Sustainable Production Systems for Farming Families in Rural Montevideo", so that 40 productive units in this area could improve their production through sustainable water and land management, a system which is expected to be repeated in other Latin American areas.  

Cutting machinery (chirquera), fertilizers and organic material were some of the inputs and tools allocated to improve the land. The technical personnel of the Administrative offices were trained so that they could later advice farmers regarding long term planning to increase results. The program's success helped expand the practices. Other farmers copied the ideas and are now working to design their production.

In the Yellow Pampa is Andres, who takes the cattle to graze. Cattle is the basis of his livelihood. "The boost I received to cover all the aspects demanded by my work is impressive. It was essential to feel supported when starting an activity in an area which was unfamiliar to me".