UC Davis

Argentina is home to the largest population of Bolivians outside of Bolivia, the majority of whom have settled within the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA). A high concentration of Bolivian migrants practice diversified horticultural family-scale farming within AMBA’s peri-urban zone (the buffer area between urban and surrounding rural areas). Aside from segmented producer organizations, peri-urban farmers are largely fragmented and excluded from opportunities for market integration. This project was a result of a partnership between Dr. Amanda Crump’s Research Group on Agricultural Equity at the University of California, Davis, Dr. Gustavo Tito at Argentina's National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA) and Dr. Percy Nugent at Arturo Jauretche National University. Together, we explored avenues for community and political organizations to promote agroecological market integration in Berazategui, Argentina, located in the southern peri-urban zone of AMBA. Using participatory methodologies, we evaluated existing barriers to market expansion for peri-urban farmers and strategized which social alliances would be essential in improving equitable and agroecological market access. This research was conducted with the following objectives: To assess the current realities of producers as they work to commercialize their products and gain access to local market opportunities, to generate a better understanding of the role of social alliances in supporting commercialization for agricultural producers in Berazategui, and to provide space for producers to exchange ideas on how to strengthen and promote local agroecological market inclusion.

Findings showed that the municipal and federal government must support farmers with basic needs (such as land tenure) as a prerequisite for engagement with agroecology and improved marketing opportunities. Market intermediaries must also be replaced with either direct marketing opportunities or expanded producer organization roles that populate the entire production chain with producer allies and ensure fair prices for all. Finally, consumers can be educated to serve as allies and advocates for producers. This research collaboration supports the goals of INTA’s ProHuerta family farmer program, which promotes agroecology, food self-sufficiency, farmer inclusivity and market integration, especially for vulnerable farmers. INTA hopes to convert AMBA’s peri-urban zone into a “green belt” of agroecology and food production. This goal is increasingly relevant as the impacts of climate change and COVID stress the need for more localized, diversified, and equitable food systems.