The president of the Venezuelan Society of Agricultural and Food Engineers (SVIAA), Saúl Elías López, warned about the impact on the country of the over 20 % increase in key products such as urea and ammonia due to the conflict in the Middle East.
According to the union leader, it is essential to defend national production and urgently develop Agriculture 4.0.
He argued that “the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and agricultural organizations have warned that the war against Iran has driven fertilizer prices up by 35 to 40 percent following the disruption of trade in the Strait of Hormuz.”
López’s proposal focuses on comprehensive management of Venezuelan soil fertility, supported by technology and regenerative practices, as “the only path to productive survival, and we must act accordingly.”
Considering the FAO’s assessment of a prolonged conflict with a severe impact on the next planting season, the agronomist pointed out that “Venezuela is highly vulnerable to these external supply chain shocks,” adding that “the Venezuelan primary sector operates with narrow profit margins, and acquiring fertilizers at inflated prices threatens planting for the next cycle.”
The key is to determine how to nourish the soil, aiming for Agriculture 4.0. She referred to regenerative agriculture, digital soil analysis, and satellite monitoring as potential ways to reduce dependence on agrochemicals.
M.Pino
Source: informe21
(Reference image source: Petr Magera on Unsplash)
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