Deep Roots

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on the radio, they inspected and adjusted the water pump and

all the pipes related to the water distribution for troughs in the

grazing areas. This system, which was installed two years ago

with governmental support, has improved dairy production

as well as enabling the family to reduce the amount of manure

in the waiting room and the milking parlour. Adjusting the

equipment was therefore an important task to keep the mech-

anism in good working order.

Afternoon milking time was approaching, and while Don

Oscar was preparing the parlour and distributing the cattle’s

rations in the troughs, he observed that Julio was hurrying the

cows into the waiting corral.

“What’s the hurry, mate? Is your girlfriend waiting for

you?” Don Oscar asked in a cheerful tone.

“No old man. It’s just that I want to finish early so I won’t be

late for the Sociedad de Fomento

meeting,” answered Julio.

“And what is the topic for discussion?” asked Don Omar.

“In the Mesa de Desarrollo Rural

we were asked to evaluate

the public policies put in place for family farmers so far. It’s a

good opportunity to discuss some things that are not working

properly,” Julio answered.

“But there has been a lot of progress,” Don Oscar replied,

and he kept thinking while he was milking.

“Julio is young and doesn’t remember the old times, but I

do,” Don Oscar thought. “Gone are the days in which family

farmers were invisible to the Government and their role in

food production, as well as their importance in populating

rural areas, went unrecognized. Those were hard times, when

there was no state intervention with differentiated policies.

Now, there are governmental plans that help to improve

production, to introduce new technology and to enable easier

access to technical assistance, keeping in mind the need to

care for the environment and the living conditions of rural

people. A Register of Family Farmers was created to ensure

that resources properly reach them and the Sociedades de

Fomento and cooperatives have been empowered to give

better services to their members. Electricity now reaches every

corner of the country. Although there are still a lot of things to

improve, we must recognize the progress that has been made.”

When he finished milking, he said to Julio: “Wait for me,

I will tidy up and go with you. I have some things to say in

the meeting too.”

The Government of Uruguay’s One Laptop per Child programme means that

farm children can learn using a ceibalita, or XO laptop

Dairy production is the main source of income on family farms like Don

Oscar’s, and requires the collaboration of the whole family

Governmental plans are helping Uruguay’s family farmers to improve

production, introduce new technology and access technical assistance

Image: Ministry of Farming, Agriculture & Fisheries, Uruguay

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