Miners become new farmers
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Foundation Mission Piar, Mibam and CVG are working to improve the quality of life in mining communities in Bolivar state, as part of the integration and consolidation of productive programs, which allows training in new trades

"Convincing the miners at work on another project that is not artisanal mining, was not easy. Make them understand that it is feasible to make a living by engaging in animal husbandry, farming and raising chickens, led an effort that now translates into better quality of life, "they said Mirna Munoz, president of the Foundation Mission Piar.

The physical destruction, moral and economic well-being as well as the environmental disaster are just some of the consequences of illegal mining, not to mention the social decay (drugs, gaming, prostitution) around this office.

Therefore, the Bolivarian Government through the Banco del Tesoro (BT) has approved the sum of 8 million strong bolivares for projects arising from the conversion Mining, executed through the joint work of the Foundation Mission Piar, the Ministry of People's Power for Basic Industries and Mining (Mibam), the Corporación Venezolana de Guayana (CVG) and the efforts of those who abandoned mines operating without a permit, to engage in agricultural activity.

Minera conversion: a reality

Proposals to convert the miners, was not only we will see, since "the minister Mibam and CVG president Rodolfo Sanz has worked to make it a reality. Anyone who climbs to the municipalities of El Callao, Raúl Leoni or La Paragua and want to see the new agricultural projects that are running, you can do, "confirmed the president of the Foundation Mission Piar.

"When the minister gave us that idea, I loved it. Since that time I was meeting with the miners, and we were speaking with the support of CVG, Mibam and adjacent communities. The miners were happy with the news, they were ready, they financed the projects, "said Munoz.

Of the "bull" to the task in the field

Victoria Flores "Vicky", always cheerful in their dialogue, grateful to God and to minister Sanz, for you to understand that not only had to work in the mines to feed their families.

Flores, proud of its vegetable seed, said that "the estate is called" Battle of Santa Inés ", and is one of my pride. I started with the planting of pepper, sweet pepper and scallion, I am currently breeding pigs, fifty and five hundred white chickens laying hens. Received a credit of 365 thousand bolívares strong conditioning to ground and a truck that allows the transfer of products.

Vicky said, "From the Bolivarian Revolution that came to our country, small-scale miners have been taken into account, it has supported us in this dream of farmers working the land and also we are proud of this commitment.

Junior Garcia, talkative and restless. Owns the estate "El Roble", with dual-purpose livestock in the livestock and fish, also has pig. Owns 120 acres, entirely suitable for fattening and breeding animals.

On November 19 received a credit for the amount of 299 thousand, 217 strong bolivar. This investment was used for: planting grass for livestock, to buy special food for fattening and useful in a lorry transporting the animals.

"We thank the Government for the support and Bolivariano Mibam for Conversion Minera. We are also pleased with the CVG provided technical advising for the adequacy, management and use of resources, "he said.

Francisco Rojas is the owner of the estate "Cooperative Fish and Cheese Guasipati Bolivarian." He received credit for the order of 211 thousand bolívares strong.

The funds received were used to prepare the ground. "Today I have planted 5 thousand 400 pepper plants. I now have a new life that is devoted to agriculture. My mission is to distribute the goods with a low-cost operators in Mercal Guasipati and villages adjacent to the El Callao and Miam, to obtain good quality product, planted with all the love of a former miner who Now work is dedicated to agriculture, "he said.

Rigoberto Flores is the owner of the "Granja Integral Doña Carmen." Like all their colleagues who were engaged in mining, was also a productive partner credit amounting up to 277 thousand bolívares strong.

"On January 10 this year, I used to work livestock investment. Today, counting cattle, pigs, hens and chickens white. " Flores also is engaged in agriculture and their land with crops of vegetables such as tomato, scallion, pepper and coriander, among other items. It has 90 hectares of land.

Importantly, "the miners not only profit from these gains, ie, they have also created new jobs for the community, resulting in more family, demographically depressed areas," said Flores.

Rodolfo Sanz, president of the Corporation for socialism, is committed to follow the guidelines issued by the Government to support the Bolivariano Minera. The primary objective of this socialist model, is to build and consolidate the development of small farmers, enhancing food security and providing welfare and improved quality of life of the inhabitants of the southern Bolivar state. Press CVG


Approval of claims

If a miner is required to approve a project must first be defined what farming and want to make resources available to: land, farm, livestock, among others.

Gather the necessary documentation to apply for credit card identity, home address or place of residence operation, RIF (legal person). Submit an explanatory statement and a detailed budget.

The project proposal is presented in the Bureau of Mining Concessions Mibam in Caracas, or at the Foundation Mission Piar in Ciudad Bolivar, where they can also get technical assistance for agriculture and livestock.

The credit is usually adopted in the short term, depending on the case. First monitors and evaluates the proposal.