Salvadoran Government Pledges $38.4 Million in Aid: A Turning Point for Agriculture?
In a decisive move to support food sovereignty, the Salvadoran Government reallocates $38.4 million from its 2023 Budget Law to bolster agricultural aid. Set to benefit a multitude of corn farmers, this step could mark a turning point for Salvadoran agriculture.
Latest Agronomy News The Salvadoran Government, in a strategic move toward ensuring food sovereignty, has approved a substantial reallocation of $38.4 million from its 2023 Budget Law to boost agricultural aid. This significant step aims to back those farming the Salvadoran land and ensure the country's food security.
As part of a third wave of Budget Law reforms, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is set to benefit from this considerable financial boost. With a rise in the cost of agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, the approved funds could not have come at a better time for Salvadoran farmers. This budget adjustment is expected to support a whopping 378,011 corn producers nationwide, by facilitating the acquisition of certified corn seeds, 15-15-15 fertilizer, foliar fertilizer, and seed treatment.
These agricultural packages, a key component of the Central Government's plan, will help maintain a steady food supply, a crucial aspect of national food sovereignty. This move comes in response to appeals from various sectors, including the political opposition and the Salvadoran Association of Small and Medium Agricultural Producers (CAMPO), who have been advocating for a comprehensive National Agriculture Policy.
However, scrutiny about the fund utilization in the Agriculture and Livestock sector isn't new. The ARENA party, earlier this year, asked the government for accountability regarding the nearly $1.3 billion approved for two trusts focused on bolstering agriculture and coffee cultivation.
The Agricultural Rescue Plan, launched by the government in January 2021, pledged to rejuvenate the sector responsible for feeding the Salvadoran populace. Subsequently, the Assembly approved two major initiatives: the Food Sovereignty Trust (FIDESA) for $650 million and the Coffee Rescue Trust (FIRECAFE) for $640 million, showing a marked commitment to the agriculture sector.
With this latest reallocation of funds, the Salvadoran Government has once again shown its willingness to amend the 2023 Budget Law for the country's greater good. The question remains - will this be the turning point for Salvadoran agriculture? Only time will tell. The stakes are high, but so too is the potential for a greener, more bountiful future.
Source: ElSalvador
