Agriculture points to a paradigm shift, in terms of the use and relationship with natural assets. Thus, agroecology emerges as an alternative for sustainable productive development that, for several years, has been accompanied by INTA specialists through extension and research.
El Huerto Interior is a family business located in Baigorrita -locality that is in the district of General Viamonte, in the Northwest of the province of Buenos Aires- that started the agroecological transition path a decade ago.
“The contact began through environmental forums, then continued with a popular economy market where they sold their products, they also joined the Ovina Table, where we work together with the municipality,” said César Baldoni, extension agent from INTA Rojas, Buenos Aires. Aires.
Marcela Calderón, producer of El Huerto Interior, explained about this initiative that “together with my brothers we were agricultural producers and contractors, we provided primary labor services, sowing, fertilization and spraying.”
By 2011, Calderón -together with his brother- carried out 2,500 hectares a year of work, “we were already beginning to realize that after decades with direct sowing we needed more and more inputs to achieve the same yields, we had lower profitability and we assumed more risks, “he added.
A different farm
The brothers began to investigate different ways of farming and made a synthesis with each of them, rescuing and adapting the techniques to what the place needed. Thus, they incorporated an organic garden, sheep with rotary grazing and grain cultivation in association with pastures.
The wheat they harvest is classified and integrated into the value added chain, which includes milling with an artisanal stone mill. In addition, they have a cyclonic cooler and the sieve with which they produce 1,200 kilograms of flour per month, which they sell under their own brand.
“We incorporated one more mill and the processing plant – we are in the final details – and then we will seek provincial and national authorization,” said Calderón. With the incorporation they hope to add agro-ecological polenta and double sales.
“We already have 70 hectares without agrochemicals, we have also achieved that 80% of the inputs are self-generated, there is an increase in the flora and fauna of the place and the microbiology of the soil has increased exponentially”, revealed Marcos Calderón, Marcela’s brother and producer of El Huerto Interior.
“The extension work is not only to answer questions but to collaborate in the thinking of proposals and projects,” said Baldoni. The technicians constantly receive consultations and work in conjunction with the producers in the area.
Healthy food
In addition to improving income, “adding value to food produced locally and with regional possibility, such as wheat flour and corn flour, is a strategy that strengthens the link between the consumer and the producer”, highlighted Alejandro Signorelli – INTA Junín agency chief, Buenos Aires–.
The priority of entrepreneurship is focused on generating a dynamic and functional system, building food sovereignty, roots and a different relationship with the environment. They market the products at fairs, healthy food markets in Junín and throughout the province through the Todos Come platform, which is coordinated by the Institute for Popular Production.
“Currently, it is being articulated in the consolidation of this experience from the formation of a Rural Change group to promote tourism in the region, which represents an opportunity to strengthen these activities in the long term,” added Signorelli.
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