The shortage of diesel is posing a serious threat to food security in Bolivia, impacting both the harvest and planting of agricultural products, warned the president of the Association of Oilseed and Wheat Producers (Anapo), Fernando Romero.
In an interview with Xinhua, Romero emphasized that the diesel shortage is endangering hundreds of businesses in eastern Bolivia, mentioning that only 20 percent of rice producers have begun planting, which could lead to severe consequences for the country's food security.
Bolivian President Luis Arce recently announced that the supply of fuels will normalize within 10 days, and that food prices, affected by a 24-day road blockade, will begin to stabilize.
Fernando Romero underscored the urgency of the situation, mentioning that there is a large amount of soy ready for harvest that is at risk of being lost due to the lack of diesel. He also warned that planting is also in danger, putting the agricultural sector in a state of emergency.
The president of Anapo emphasized the importance of diesel for food production, pointing out that without this fuel, there will be no production or food. He highlighted that agricultural cycles do not wait and that the sector is currently facing two critical moments: the paralysis of the winter harvest and the approach of the summer planting.
At the signing event for agreements on drinking water projects in PotosÃ, Fernando Romero reiterated the need to normalize the situation, noting that prices of basic basket products will decrease in the markets, which will benefit Bolivian families.
