The Minister of Agriculture and the governor of the province of Rio Negro agreed to implement different measures to help producers of pears and apples of Rio Negro and Neuquen, including the creation of a fund of up to 300 million pesos for non-repayable contributions.
In a first tranche, 110 million will be used to harvest the fruit. The national government will make an initial disbursement of 50 million that will be monitored by a Specific Committee composed of the national government and the provinces. Meanwhile, Rio Negro and Neuquen pledged to give 50 and 10 million, respectively.
The National Bank will implement a credit line of up to 300 million pesos with a 6% subsidy rate from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.
Producers and exporters will have at their disposal a credit line at a subsidized rate for working capital, investments and financing exports with a 6% subsidy rate in National Bank and the provincial banks.
The promotion work via advertising and promotional activities, as well as direct sales through institutional markets offered by the agricultural portfolio, will continue in order to encourage domestic consumption of apples and pears.
In addition, a subsequent meeting with the participation of representatives of the Nation, provincial governments industrial, cameras producers, chambers and, in order to advance policies for the sector was convened for the second half of March.
During the meeting, the Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Casamiquela, signed the ministerial decision declaring a state of national emergency for the fruit farms affected by the hail that fell in the province last October 8.
Source: BAE