Europe Asia News

Colombian President Petro stated that the economy’s excessive dependence on hydrocarbon production negatively affects the country’s industry and agriculture, adding that this situation can be explained by the “Dutch disease” theory. Petro said that 15 million hectares of fertile land in the country remain unused and that investing in agricultural reform would lower food prices and increase employment.

Highlighting the potential for clean energy, Petro noted that Colombia can generate energy from solar, wind, water, and geothermal sources and even export it to the United States. The President argued that the use of hydrocarbons contributes both to the global climate crisis and to the local food crisis.

Stating that increasing domestic food supply is among the top priorities, Petro announced that import tariffs on corn would be reviewed and local production would be supported. He also said that investments would be made in forest (selva) products within the framework of agriculture and the bioeconomy, and that agricultural alternatives would be encouraged to reduce cocaine production.

Petro emphasized that Colombia could play a global role in bioeconomy and sustainable agriculture and noted that the government faces shortcomings in teaching farmers modern agricultural and bioeconomy techniques.