An Argentine provincial government has offered financial assistance to its farmers in the form of a US$1.96 million subsidy, reported news site Rionegro.com.ar.

The move was led by Neuquén vice-governor Ana Pechen and territory development minister Leandro Bertoya, offering US$623.75 per cultivated hectare, the story reported.

Neuquén territory development minister Leandro Bertoya

“The distribution of these contributions is in accordance with what has been established by the producer chambers in the province and will reach about 300 farmers in Senillosa, Plottier, Neuquén, Centenario, Vista Alegre and San Patricio del Chañar,” Bertoya was quoted as saying.

In a press conference Bertoya said there were still remaining subsidy funds to be issued to farmers based on agreements after last month’s strikes, the story reported.

“Of the $40 million pesos (US$9.98 million) that the nation committed to farmers in Rio Negro and Neuquén, we are managing what reaches effectively 20% that corresponds to the province and involves about $8 million pesos (US$1.96 million),” he was quoted as saying.

Newspaper La Nación previously reported that the fruit worker strikes set back the country’s pear industry by up to US$50 million in losses.

Photo: http://www.desarrollandonqn.gov.ar

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com