Panama Investing in Self-Sustaining Agriculture

The Social Investment Fund (FIS) hopes to invest $12 million in the development of 12,000 self-sustaining gardens and farms over the next four years.

During his appearance before the National Assembly’s Budget Committee, the Director of the FIS, Giacomo Tamburrelli, reported that so far 15 farms have been set up throughout the country.

Tamburrelli, who requested a special $2 million appropriation from the Budget Committee for this project, said they have organized the financial and technical support to move forward with the orchards and farmlands.

“Each farm will benefit 15 families, and each garden about nine,” he said.

The head of the FIS promised that there would be no mismanagement of funds or resources and will have 30 technicians and supervisors on hand to ensure compliance.

Budget Committee alternate deputy Elvira Meneses warned that these projects must be monitored rigorously.

“I believe in these projects, but they need to be audited to work,” she said.

Meneses, who was governor of Colon between 1999 and 2004, said she witnessed the development of 56 farms and orchards in the province but only four bore fruit.

In somewhat related news, self-sustaining skyscrapers

La Prensa reports.