In Buenos Aires’ interior, new meetings have been held between city and state authorities and national delegations in recent days to address the issue of water surpluses, which affect around 5 million hectares, amid intensifying protests by residents and rural producers over the poor condition of dirt roads and fields in vast areas severely affected by flooding.
As stated in a state government statement, “5,000 kilometers of that network has already been improved.” The Ministry of Agricultural Development also said in its rural road improvement strategic plan that six projects have been completed by 2024-2025, of which 28 are under implementation and two are administrative circuits.
The meeting held in the municipality on July 9 focused on coordination to analyze the local situation due to excess water in different towns and rural areas in the center of Buenos Aires.
The report added that state funds will be allocated to local governments for local road maintenance during this year, and this item has been enhanced with $2 billion.
In any case, protests continue from groups, producers and neighbors over the poor condition of many rural roads in the state.
Among their repeated demands, they are calling for greater investment and control over the use of road tax. These industries have long argued that deteriorating dirt road networks make it difficult for them to access production and basic services.
Complaints have been common in recent years, both from growers from different parts of the Buenos Aires territory (including those from Magdalena and Punta Indio, as well as from the nearby fruit and vegetable center of La Plata), and about the inaction of various governments to provide solutions to local road problems.
Of course, this problem is not just related to agricultural production; it also affects the dynamics of isolated towns and cities, with endemic conditions that have been going on for decades, impacting students and others who are unable to attend school.
Roads that were at the forefront of effectiveness in the country have suffered from decline, especially since the 1990s when state highways lost their prestige and became less concerned with maintaining rural roads.
Last August, representatives of rural production warned this newspaper that rural routes were not adapted to the growth of agricultural machinery parks, warning: “Currently, the machines used for sowing seeds are mostly seeders and large tractors, and the roads are too narrow. Much effort is needed to improve the roads.”
As mentioned above, the logistical complexities of grain and animal production and transportation, as well as the poor condition of roads (today they are often completely submerged), make connectivity and general dynamics difficult, impeding access to schools and many basic services in the region.
It is hoped that a formula to overcome the multiple problems caused by the impassable road network will be applied as soon as possible.
It is clear that in such a situation, rural roads cause confusion, delays, lack of communication, violations of the population and cause all kinds of losses to the livestock, agriculture, dairy and related industrial sectors, as well as the general dynamics of economic and social life.
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