Challenges threaten the Peruvian agriculture, a key piece in the national economy.

Peruvian agriculture, considered a miracle in social and economic terms, is facing a series of challenges that endanger its continuity and its positive impact on the national economy. The National Confederation of Private Business Institutions (Confiep) has pointed out the urgency of implementing an ad hoc sectoral policy to guide the recovery of this important sector. Peruvian agriculture is a global reference that annually injects a considerable sum of S/ 36,000 million into the regional and national economy in the form of salaries, supplier payments, and taxes, resulting in improved living conditions for Peruvians. However, since 2020, various factors have had a negative impact on agricultural activity. Last year, measures taken to address the pandemic led to significant cost overruns in agricultural work, affecting companies' economies. The abrupt repeal of the Agricultural Promotion Law and the imposition of anti-technical burdens have reduced the sector's competitiveness, operating in areas with limited infrastructure and public and private services. In 2021, the container crisis increased the costs of refrigerated freight, reducing the margins of agro-exporters. This year, the war between Russia and Ukraine affected global urea production, causing shortages and exponentially raising substitute costs. Additionally, road blockades in Ica and La Libertad, combined with adverse weather conditions due to the coastal El Niño phenomenon, have severely impacted the sector's production and productivity. Given this situation, it is necessary to implement a specific sectoral policy to enable Peruvian agriculture to recover from these challenges. Confiep has emphasized the importance of seeking the private sector's opinion to ensure the effectiveness of the announced measures. More than a million Peruvians depend on the employment generated by this activity, so it is essential to guarantee its sustainability and development. In this regard, it is imperative for authorities to take concrete and effective actions to support Peruvian agriculture, considered a fundamental pillar of the national economy. The future of the sector and the well-being of thousands of Peruvian families are at stake, making it crucial to act in a coordinated and decisive manner to promote its recovery and development.