Cotton fund receives over R$ 78 million to combat the Boll Weevil in Argentina

The coordinator of the Belgrano Plan, Victor Zimmermann confirmed that a fund of AR$ 78 million will be given to cotton growers in Argentina to tackle problems related to the Boll Weevil. “These funds are guaranteed and producers will get the total amount. Besides, we will work in a coordinated way and there will be a policy for the phytosantary fight. With respect to the Boll Weevil, there is a decision of the national government to help with more money,” said Zimmermann. The Belgrano Plan is a project of the Macri Adminsitration to repair the economic disadvantages of Northern Argentina in comparison with other regions, mostly with infrastructure developments, but also with other forms of support that would boost the competitiveness.

After a meeting with the undersecretary of Agriculture of the National, Luis Urriza, and the national director of Agriculture, Ignacio Garciarena, Zimmermann announced that the partnership is signed by the governor of the Chaco province Peppo and the funds will be credited right after his signature.

"In a meeting with growers, they have expressed worries with the Cotton Fund. According to what was said in that meeting, the forecast for the 2016/2017 season is 40,000 hectares planted of this crop in our province (of Chaco). Facing this situation, the goal of the national government is to shrink this trend of decline of planting. In 2019, the target is to plant 300,000 hectare. So we have to speed up the transference of funds to intensify the fight against the Boll Weevil,” highlighted Zimmermann.

He also said that local agencies of phytosanitary control will be created to fight against the Boll Weevil: “We are managing more funds for the Boll Weevil issue, creating local agents articulated with the private sector,” explained. “For our local economies the Belgrano Plan is a key issue. The plan not only contemplates infrastructure works, but also a support for farmer,” concluded Zimmermann.