Added: Jan 21, 2021
Last edited: Jan 17, 2025
UTT works to improve food sovereignty and agro-ecological practices in food production by bringing together and empowering farmer families in Argentina. One of their main objectives is to reduce the use of pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilisers, plastics and genetically modified seeds on farms.
The activities of UTT range from advocating for improved legislation and secure access to land for farmers, the provision of micro- and soft loan schemes for smallholders, training and capacity-building.
UTT has reached 250 families producing agro-ecologically across various provinces of Argentina, with a farmer-to-farmer training process. According to UTT, they converted 300 hectares to agro-ecological production while increasing yields by 20%, saving 80% in farm expenditures and doubling revenues by direct sales through UTT sales channels. The food products have higher nutrition value and contain no traces of agro-chemicals while matching the market price of conventionally produced products.
Barriers and enabling conditions. UTT negotiates with local governments to gain access to abandoned or degraded farmland. Once access is granted, they grant unemployed workers access to the land and train them in food production with regenerative agriculture and agroecology principles. These workers obtain soft loans to purchase the land and can sell their products through UTT sales channels. Training is provided by farm technicians and farmers.