The peace agreement signed by the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has liberated 18 million hectares that the guerrillas had under their control.
This opens a historic business opportunity for Almeria's agricultural auxiliary industry, which could be a basic transfer of technology or developing a more ambitious and durable provision of goods and services. There have been contacts between Almeria and Colombian delegations that predict a close collaboration in the next years.
Spain's agricultural industry in general and Almeria's agricultural industry in particular enjoy a good reputation in the Colombian market, according to a report from the Institute of Foreign Trade (Icex).
The greenhouse segment is one of the most competitive sectors, according to this study, as "it has developed advanced farming systems, thanks to continued investment in innovation and development."
In fact, a transfer process of Almeria's intensive greenhouse farming model to the Department of Quindio is underway, as part of the strategic actions of rural and productive development articulated in the South American country's Colombia Siembra (Colombia Plants) national program.
One of the great needs of the Colombian countryside is automation and improvement of irrigation and drainage systems. According to the Rural Agriculture planning unit, the total irrigation and drainage area amounts to 350.766 hectares concentrated in 731 districts.
One of Colombia's greatest economic values is an expanding middle class. Colombia expects to raise over 3,300 million dollars through an international aid program called Colombia Peace Fund.
Andean technicians in Almeria
A month ago, a Colombian delegation traveled to Almeria for ten days to study its agricultural model. A total of 27 Colombian entrepreneurs, farmers, experts, and officials got to learn about the key elements of greenhouse in collaboration with the University of Almeria (UAL). The objective was to assess this model as a reference to implant it in certain regions of Colombia, once the peace process comes to an end. The tour was organized by the International Global Spaces company, a Spanish company based in Colombia, with the collaboration of the UAL, the Anecoop Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce, Icex, and the Spanish Embassy in Colombia. The objective of the mission, which had the participation of professors from the sector, such as Francisco Camacho Ferre and Diego Luis Valera, was establishing technology transfer agreements.
The Government of Juan Manuel Santos faces an historic opportunity to eliminate illicit crops, modernize the fields, and exploit its agricultural potential based on their climatic diversity, allowing the planting of a wide variety of crops and forest products.
A land fund has already been established for new settlers, like in the West in the 60's, that come from old properties of drug traffickers that are located in the best soils in the country.
Colombia will need several inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides, seeds and machinery.
Source: lavozdealmeria.es