The agricultural sector of Peru, led by Alejandro Fuentes, president of the Association of Agrarian Producers Guilds of Peru (AGAP) is calling for peace and unity for the country to get out of the current crises. He said the Peruvian agricultural sector, “is going through an unprecedented crisis, which is further aggravated due to demonstrations and protests, losing investment, time and productivity.”
Photo: Agraria.pe
The ongoing political crises that has seen a state of emergency extended with nearly 50 people killed and hundreds injured, including protestors and police. This has led to an estimated $250 million in losses of major export crops that include table grapes, blueberries, mangos and avocados. Due to ongoing challenges in Peru there was also a 0% investment in agriculture in 2022 says Agap.
Producers and industry players in Peru say they are busy assessing the situation and will make statements in the coming days. The road blockades, that started all over again shortly after the new year, affects workers, causing delays in harvesting and packing in different parts of the country. Transport between major production areas and the ports are also disrupted for long periods.
“(AGAP) deeply regrets the sensitive human losses, as well as the dozens of compatriots injured as a result of the demonstrations that have been bleeding and dividing the country. All our solidarity with the affected families and our desire that peace be achieved among Peruvians soon."
“Demonstrations are a right that empowers people to exercise it, but in a peaceful way; However, we strongly condemn all acts of violence against essential services such as airports, highways, health services and attacks on public institutions, private companies, law enforcement, citizens, among others, which have been generating a climate of terror that affects socially and economically to all,” Fuentes said in the latest Agap statement.
“We support the hard work carried out by the National Police and the Armed Forces within the framework of their constitutional and legal powers to restore public order. Criminal acts caused by violent groups deserve the rejection of all citizens, acts contrary to the law must be immediately investigated and those responsible must be brought to justice so that the full weight of the law falls on them. We call on all Peruvians to make the rule of law, peace and dialogue prevail in order to overcome this difficult moment that the country is going through. Today more than ever, Peru needs unity and social peace to get out of the crisis and return to the path of growth and well-being for all Peruvians.”
According to Fuentes and Agap’s executive director Gabriel Amaro, a lasting solution has to be found to ensure the over 150 000 jobs in the sector remain secure. Peru has long been able to grow exports of the major commodities despite reoccurring political upheavals in the country that has seen six presidents over the past six years.
Following the flare up of roadblocks just after the start of the New Year, several big producers in Ica, Peru had to close for a few days as workers could not get to fields to harvest and pack export fruit. Operations resumed last week, but the situation remains tense as protestors, mostly indigenous from areas far away from the capital plan to march to Lima this week. This is despite the embattled President Dina Boluarte extending a state of emergency in the capital Lima and other heavily affected areas.
Other participants in Peru’s agricultural sector commented: “Our situation is bad. Different parts of our country is blocked.”
Experts on Latin American politics say the issues in Peru are mainly structural with the capital city seeing elites ensconced in Lima, in charge of business and politics, while the rural and poorer areas are beset with problems.
Former President Castillo, a former teacher and union leader who had never held office, defeated the former dictator’s daughter in presidential elections. The poor see Castillo as one of them, but according to the experts he struggled with a conservative establishment not used to having a heavily social leaning leader in charge. The Peruvian Constitution, last changed by the former dictator, is also what prevented Castillo from bringing in the needed changes experts say.
Protestors, who are mostly rural and from indigenous communities are calling for the removal of the new president Dina Boluarte. They want Castillo released and a change in the constitution that allow a better spread of resources. The deaths of the large amount of people at the hands of the countries security forces, some as young as 15 years old, further strengthens the resolve of protestors their leaders commented. The armed forces reportedly responded with maximum force due to protestors turning violent, damaging government buildings and an airport.
During last year truck driver strikes, riots and political uncertainty are all contributing factors to a nightmare 2022 for Peruvians. On top of this Peru, like the rest of the world, is still recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. Shipping, fertilisers and energy prices are on elevated levels further exacerbated by the Russian war in Ukraine. The riots, state of emergency and recent extension of these conditions comes as a blow to the fruit export sector, which is so crucial for the country.
For more information:
Alejandro Fuentes
Association of Agrarian Producers Guilds of Peru
Email: [email protected]
www.agapperu.org