Venezuelan Government Collaborates with MST of Brazil to Enhance Ecological Agriculture Output on Confiscated Farmland
Title: Maduro's Food Revolution: A Giant Agricultural Leap with the MST
March 18, 2025 (our website)
ție Caracas turns the pages of history once more! The Maduro administration has set its sights on an ambitious plan to bolster food production on one of Venezuela's largest state-owned estates. Dubbed as the "Patria Grande del Sur," this project aims to transform a 180,000-hectare plot, La Vergareña, in the Bolívar state, into a thriving agricultural and livestock hub.
"This venture could well be the largest agroecological project championed by campesino movements in South America, committed to generating organic food on a grand scale," declared Maduro during a televised rant on Thursday.
In an effort to secure domestic food supplies and cater to neighboring Brazil, this endeavor is set to revolutionize how food production is approached in Venezuela. Notably, it's the Brazilian Landless Workers' Movement (MST) who will swing into action, leading this South American agricultural revolution. Maduro revealed that he'd sign a decree to establish the project, but it's unclear if the land will be transferred to the MST or if an alliance model will be defined instead.
Looking back, La Vergareña was first set up by the Bolívar state governorship and was later acquired by shipping and mining mogul Daniel K. Ludwig in 1953. The vast estate was utilized to cultivate high-genetic-quality cattle breeds. In 1976, the Benacerraf family purchased the estate, and in 2008, it was nationalized under the 2001 Land Law by the Hugo Chávez government. Dubbed as the largest latifundio (unproductive large estate) in Venezuela at the time, the estate has remained largely unproductive.
Despite sitting on rich, fertile land, its remote southeastern location makes it difficult to access, with limited road infrastructure, insufficient electricity, water, and fuel supplies—not to mention Ciudad Bolívar being more than 200 kilometers away.
Last year, the Maduro government decided it was time to put this land to good use. The administration renewed focus on La Vergareña and encouraged grassroots movements across Venezuela to jump on board. Workgroups were set up, consisting of state institutions and community organizations, before Thursday's jaw-dropping announcement.
To make this colossal project a reality, the Maduro administration will need to make considerable investments in infrastructure. But fear not, because these challenges can be tackled, and a prosperous Patria Grande del Sur is within our grasp.
Sources close to Venezuelanalysis reveal that the project has immense potential. However, before any significant productive efforts can be made, it's crucial for the government to lead public works projects. Campesino sources concur, stating that Patria Grande del Sur could indeed propel Venezuela towards productive independence.
Venezuelan Communes Minister Ángel Prado recently led a visit to La Vergareña alongside Agriculture Minister Julio León Heredia. During their visit, Prado showered praise on the project, deeming it a "fundamental step towards productive independence." The project offers promising prospects for the cultivation of corn, soy, sugar cane, vegetables, and beef and dairy cattle.
Prado is keen to see communards from Venezuela's prominent commune movement, the Communard Union, participate in the Patria Grande del Sur initiative. The Communard Union, a union of over 100 communes spanning 18 states, has already deployed a permanent brigade in the territory for several months. Members of the Communard Union have been busying themselves with community diagnoses, training programs, and established efforts to create a commune in La Vergareña.
Brazil's Landless Workers' Movement (MST) has had a presence in Venezuela since 2005, with their internationalist brigade providing training and technical assistance to grassroots movements. As the largest progressive social movement in South America, the MST boasts an impressive 1.5 million members across 23 of its 27 states. As they gear up for this mammoth agricultural project, the MST and Venezuela's commune movement will unite to write a new chapter in South America's food production history.
Edited by José Luis Granados Ceja in Mexico City, Mexico.
- This collaboration between the MST and Venezuela's commune movement is aimed at ensuring food sovereignty and developing agricultural initiatives on government-owned land in Venezuela.
- The MST will establish an agricultural camp for 300 families, which will include amenities like housing, a school for political education and agroecology, and facilities for training peasants in seed production.
- This project could result in increased food production, community empowerment, and reduce Venezuela's dependence on external food supplies.
- The Maduro administration's ambitious plan, labeled as the "Patria Grande del Sur," aims to transform the 180,000-hectare La Vergareña plot in Bolívar state into an agricultural and livestock hub by 2025.
- The Brazilian Landless Workers' Movement (MST) has been selected to lead this South American agricultural revolution, offering a potential solution for Venezuelan food supplies and catering to neighboring Brazil.
- According to sources close to Venezuelanalysis, this colossal project has immense potential and could push Venezuela towards productive independence.
- As part of this initiative, communards from Venezuela's prominent commune movement, the Communard Union, are keen to participate, with the project offering prospects for the cultivation of various crops and livestock.
