Producers will have to fend for themselves amid neglected rural roads, warns Argentine association

Rural producers in Argentina's Buenos Aires province face mounting anxiety as the agricultural season approaches, compounded by the looming threat of a strong El Niño event expected to bring heavy rainfall. The core of their concern lies in the neglected state of rural roads and the insufficient progress on crucial hydraulic works, infrastructure vital for transporting farm inputs, machinery, grain, and livestock.

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Unfortunately, once again, producers will have to fend for themselves.

Carbap, the Confederation of Rural Associations of Buenos Aires and La Pampa, has voiced strong apprehension, highlighting that the province's approximately 120,000 kilometers of rural roads have significantly deteriorated due to a persistent lack of maintenance and investment. This neglect, they argue, severely compromises the transport network essential for the agricultural sector's operations.

Pablo Ginestet, president of Carbap, expressed frustration over the slow pace of government action. He noted that while discussions have occurred with municipalities and the provincial government of Axel Kicillof regarding road repairs and canal cleaning, the progress has been minimal and is arriving too late to adequately prepare for potential weather impacts. Ginestet lamented that municipal efforts seem more focused on urban emergencies than on ensuring producers can continue their work, stating, "Unfortunately, once again, producers will have to fend for themselves."

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A new sowing, a new campaign is coming and El Niño is also appearing. On Carbap's agenda, we are emphasizing the issue of roads with the municipalities, which is where the most can be done. Unfortunately, very little maintenance and repairs have been done on most rural roads. And it is very worrying given the onset of the climatic event.

The association emphasized that preventive measures, such as road improvements and secondary canal cleaning, should have been completed during the summer months. The current lack of preparedness leaves the agricultural sector vulnerable to the anticipated heavy rains, potentially disrupting planting and harvests.

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In the province, there was talk of advancing with canal cleaning works, but very little has been done. At this point in time, very little can be done to be prepared if an event occurs.