Post date: 2024-05-06 16:05:06
The National Federation of Coffee Growers, the Government of Huila and the Public Force joined together to support the “Harvest Plan” that seeks to accompany and protect the coffee growing union of the department in the development of the main harvest that begins in 20 municipalities.
2024-05-06 16:05:06
In a strategic move to safeguard one of the economic pillars of the department, the Government of Huila led by Rodrigo Villalba Mosquera, has formalized an alliance for security that guarantees the normal development of the harvesting and marketing processes of the coffee sector that is close to start the main harvest of the year 2024.
Germán Bahamón, General Manager of the National Federation of Coffee Growers, emphasized: “we are making official our alliance with the public force, who can guarantee the coffee community that the harvest, which irrigates the regional economy, is protected and does not remain in the hands of criminals. “.
With the start of the main harvest in 20 of the 35 coffee-growing municipalities of Huila, a shared concern arises: the growing threat of extortion. Bahamón pointed out: “we have warned that extortion is the new roya, since it has been increasing in several areas of the country.” That is why a clear objective has been established: to work together with the Public Force to combat this scourge and guarantee the safety of producers.
Harvest Plan: A Comprehensive Strategy
The department of Huila continues to consolidate itself as the leader in national coffee production, representing 19.4% of the total produced in the country, followed by the departments of Antioquia and Tolima. This achievement reaffirms the commitment and dedication of Huila coffee growers, as well as the exceptional quality of their products, which continue to be highly valued both nationally and internationally.
For this reason, the Governor in charge of Huila, Carlos Alberto Cuéllar, emphasized the importance of inter-institutional collaboration to guarantee a safe harvest in the region, the objective is to protect a vital sector for the economy.
“For the Government of Huila it is very important to have this space of articulation, what we intend is to provide security, guarantee in infrastructure, mobility to the coffee growing union, we have been calling the attention of the community, to generate a ‘lock plan’ in this exercise of the harvest and guarantee that there is a permanent dialogue between the union and the authorities to reinforce security,” he expressed.
Actions of the Public Force in the “Harvest Plan”
With a comprehensive approach, prevention, criminal investigation and control activities will be deployed, ensuring that coffee growers can safely carry out their harvesting activities, pay payroll, and transport their crops to the collection centers.
Colonel William Castaño Ramos, Director of Carabineros and Environmental Protection of the National Police, stressed that, “the National Police has been coordinating actions with different levels of the national order so that the ‘Harvest Plan’ is effective, and prevent the interests from being affected. of the coffee growers, this year the capabilities of the national leadership of the police service are deployed through the DIJIN, the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Extortion Directorate.”
Likewise, he emphasized the importance of direct communication between coffee growers and police authorities in the territory. Producers are urged to contact the commander of the local Police station to verify the suitability of the people to hire. The aim is to avoid setbacks when selecting workers with judicial records or inappropriate behavior.
Colonel Castaño Ramos recalled previous situations of intolerance, personal injuries and even homicides on farms during harvest seasons, reaffirming the commitment of the National Police to guarantee the safety and protection of coffee growers in the region.
