Southern Buenos Aires Producers Demand Road Repairs Amidst Rising Taxes

Producers across the southern Buenos Aires region are sounding the alarm over the dire state of rural roads, a persistent issue that continues to hamper agricultural operations. During a recent tour of local cooperatives, Coninagro officials heard firsthand the repeated grievances of farmers who are burdened by rising taxes yet see no tangible improvements to the vital road networks they rely on.

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This harms the producer and the demand is not a producer's whim, it is a reality.

Lucas Magnano, president of Coninagro, emphasized that the demand for better roads is not a mere complaint but a reflection of a harsh reality. The current state of disrepair significantly impacts producers, increasing operational costs and creating logistical nightmares, especially during crucial periods like harvest or rainy seasons. The disconnect between the taxes paid and the services rendered is a major point of contention, leaving farmers feeling exploited and underserved.

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Very rarely is consideration given by those who have to carry out the works and do not do them; the roads always remain far from the top priority.

This structural problem, affecting vast productive areas, is exacerbated by a lack of consistent response from the authorities responsible for road maintenance. Coninagro points out that these essential infrastructure projects are consistently relegated to the bottom of the priority list. The situation is further compounded by a challenging climate outlook, with predictions of increased rainfall threatening to worsen the already precarious conditions. The association also noted that temporary fixes implemented after extreme weather events have yet to be replaced by permanent solutions, adding to the frustration and uncertainty faced by the agricultural community.

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The roads must be up to the standard of the taxes being charged.