Land Takeovers in Venezuela Threaten Dairy Supply
VENEZUELA - The Government has recently taken over some 87 farms in the western portion of Venezuela, one of the country’s most important milk producing regions. Cattle producers estimate that milk production could fall by 100,000 liters per day as a result.Recent land takeovers in one of Venezuela’s most important milk producing regions could reduce the quality of raw milk available to processors. Post provides an informal summary of media reporting.
The Venezuelan government, through its Ministry for Indigenous Populations, has taken over some 87 farms in the Sierra de Perija region of Zulia state. According to FEGALAGO, a regional cattle producer umbrella organization, this takeover could reduce milk production by some 100,000 liters per day, thereby negatively affecting the country’s initiatives to become self-sufficient in this important product. Industry sources indicate that most of this raw milk production is destined for cheese production at a regional plant.
Venezuela’s milk output in 2007 was 1.25 billion liters, according to CAVILAC, Venezuela’s dairy industry chamber. The Minister of Agriculture has stated that production was 1.7 billion liters in the same period. Using the former figures, these land takeovers would represent three percent of national production.
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