The deputy for District 19, Marta Bravo (UDI), called on the Government to extend the Agricultural Emergency decree to the Ñuble Region, specifically to rural communities, due to the multimillion-dollar losses and the devastating effects left by the latest frontal systems in the area.
In this regard, and in addition to demanding greater speed in the survey being compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, the parliamentarian warned that the first reports indicate that more than eight thousand farmers have been affected between the regions of Ñuble and La Araucanía, especially in the cultivation of vegetables and winter wheat, whose productions were affected by the rains and floods.
In this regard, Deputy Bravo expressed her “concern” regarding the authorities’ decision to exclude Ñuble from the Agricultural Emergency decree – which was already announced for La Araucanía and Biobío -, describing it as “urgent” that the measure be extended to the entire region, which would allow faster assistance to be provided to the farmers who were affected.
“It is essential that the Ministry of Agriculture does not focus solely on the effects that the frontal systems left in regions such as La Araucanía or Biobío, because it is enough to carry out a small survey in our region to confirm the serious impact suffered by farmers, especially the smallest and family farming. We are talking regarding a sector that has been permanently affected by climatic events, such as last year’s mega floods and forest fires, so it is essential that the State lends them a hand in these times of crisis,” said the representative of Ñuble, who added that the purpose of receiving direct subsidies and soft loans is to “also prevent the effects of the rains from translating into an increase in food prices.”
The UDI deputy also warned of the frosts that began to occur following the rainfall, given the effect they have on agricultural production in the region.
Thus, and considering the concerns expressed by winegrowers and fruit tree producers, the parliamentarian for District 19 assured that she will write to the Ministry of Agriculture to formally request that they declare an Agricultural Emergency in Ñuble, ideally this week.
Regarding the requests she will make, Deputy Bravo said that it is “urgent” to access fresh resources to support the most affected producers, as well as to make available to them soft loans, subsidies and bonuses to recover and improve their facilities.
“What we hope for most is that the Government stops ignoring what is happening in our region and opens up to supporting our farmers, especially the smallest ones and family farmers, whose only livelihood and economic income are their productions and crops, many of which were severely affected by the rains and floods,” reiterated the UDI legislator.
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