The president of the Association of Fruit Exporters AG, Asoex, Ronald Bown, arrived in the early hours of Monday to the Atacama Region in order to hold several meetings with members of the Association of Producers and Exporters of Copiapó (APECO).
During the meeting, some of the topics discussed were the situation of labourers and the urgent need for the renewal of the irrigation networks so that the Valley can continue its productive activities, as well as the obtaining of bank loans to support producers using state mechanisms, to tackle the losses and make it possible to continue the activities which are an important source of employment for thousands of workers in the area. Furthermore, APECO revealed part of the assessment of the damages to facilities and plantations, together with a support programme for both permanent and temporary workers living in Atacama.
"During the meeting, special attention was paid to the situation of workers, and those present pointed out that they are doing everything possible to support them. Many are already receiving their payments, regardless of whether they are working or not, and have been moved to safe areas or sent to their homes in the region or outside of it," said Ronald Bown.
Regarding the sector's productive situation, Bown said: "The repair of the irrigation infrastructure is urgently needed, as without the capacity to bring water to the fields it will be impossible to continue the activity. Additionally, many irrigation pumps are under the mud and there's no electricity. If irrigation is not restored within a month, or a month and a half, the area's entire fruit sector could be affected," he said.
Tour
During his visit, the head of ASOEX, accompanied by Lina Arrieta, president of APECO, also toured various areas affected by mudslides and water due to the recent storms. Bown had a chance to witness the extent of the damage, mainly to table grape plantations.
"We toured much of the Valley up to the Lautaro, coming to terms with the complexity of the situation. There were grape plantations hit by the flooding of the Copiapó River, as well as mudslides. We found cases of 50 hectare plots completely destroyed, along with vehicles, refrigerators and other infrastructure. The situation is extremely concerning and requires joint action between Government authorities and those affected and very good coordination between irrigation authorities, agriculture in general and the banks," he pointed out.
He added: "Personally, I am extremely concerned about the situation of the labourers and the area's fruit sector, so we will do our best to find solutions as soon as possible."
During this visit, Bown also presented the first truck with aid to the Association of Seasonal Workers of the Desert, chaired by María Isabel Cartagena, which contained building materials and tools to clear roads and plantations destroyed by the slides.