PB 68: Montevideo, Uruguay – A Small Country Sets a Big Example

Report from Peace Boat’s 68th Global Voyage:

February 13, 2010 Montevideo, Uruguay – Organic farming – A small country sets a big example

“We promote responsible production here.” Uruguay’s organic farmers established a network with environmental NGOs to maintain the standards of locally-grown, eco-friendly produce and livestock Sandwiched between South America’s two largest countries – Brazil and Argentina – Uruguay doesn’t often grab the headlines in global media. But, this tiny nation, of 3.4 million people, has been leading Latin America on a number of fronts including education; civil rights; and, in particular, organic farming. Agriculture makes up 9.5 per cent of Uruguay’s GDP (gross domestic product) and because of the country’s size and undeveloped landscape – much of its territory is arable land – many farmers can raise their crops and livestock naturally: GMO- and chemical-free.

Rik Kestier opened up his farm to local university students and environmentalists, as a means to get more people involved in sustainable agriculture. Agricultural engineer Rik Kestier hosted 14 Peace Boat participants at his farm, the Agricultural Workshop – on the outskirts of capital city Montevideo – to share about the effects of globalization and the organic movement. International companies are looking to Latin America and Africa to grow organic crops in large quantities, to feed the Global North, but Mr Kestier says you can’t raise food organically on that kind of scale. Other countries need to produce their own food and stop relying on countries in warmer climates to provide produce in all seasons.

Before heading to the Agricultural Workshop, participants tried an organic vegan lunch at a vegetarian restaurant in Montevideo. Owner Graciela Martinez Sole says the organic movement in the country is 20 years strong. He highlighted the importance of having the most direct connection as possible with consumers and encourages people to buy directly from the farmers whenever they can – to develop a consciousness of the work that goes into producing their food. That’s not always a possibility for everyone, so Montevideo’s ecologically-minded shoppers can of course buy organic products at specialty shops and markets, or by ordering weekly-delivered baskets. These baskets are assembled in conjunction with other farmers and contain a mix of fruits, vegetables and organically-raised meat.

Mr Kestier introduces Peace Boat participants to some of the “babies” at his seedling nursery. Because Mr Kestier raises his crops for local sale, he can put more care into the production stages. He calls his nursery the most important part of the farm: It’s where his work is born. “I always make the comparison between a plant and a baby. When a baby is well fed, it will become strong.” The same goes for his seedlings, although his baby food is well-composted soil and natural fertilizer. On his land, he’s found a balance between production and the environment, he says, which is no easy task. “We need to have a great knowledge about the ecosystem in which we’re working and, on the other hand, we need to have knowledge of the crop that we want to plant in this ecosystem.”

Insects and wild animals all have their place on Mr Kestier’s farm, sometimes helping him get rid of other pests that can damage his crops. When necessary, he uses bio-insecticides, but never the destructive chemicals sprayed on larger industrial farms. Uruguay’s relationship with the environment isn’t perfect. The government in 2006 went to the International Court with the government of Argentina in a dispute over the shared waters of the Uruguay River. Then-President Tabaré Vásquez approved Finnish and Spanish companies’ bids to construct two pulp and paper mills along the river, which Argentines argued would pollute the local environment. As well, farms in some regions are being bought or pushed out by eucalyptus plantations, while in other areas foreign companies are playing a major part in deforestation. The nation’s beef industry wants to market itself as a producer of top quality meat by promoting its grass-fed cattle. But, as interest abroad in Uruguay beef grows, there is a risk that farmers could move towards less ecological methods. “The organic movement must strengthen itself and make ties with the political movement,” says Mr Kestier. “It’s a movement that is still in development and, for me, it has a very important future and I’m convinced organic production is going to increase.” With translation assistance from Naito Yoko