Yesterday, a delegation from the National Government, headed by six ministers and several directors of entities, arrived at the <a href="http://www.time.news/neiva-soldier-was-killed-in-the-midst-of-clashes-in-cauca-2024-04-19-034446/" title="Neiva soldier was killed in the midst of clashes in Cauca
– 2024-04-19 03:44:46″>El Plateado district, in the municipality of Argelia, Cauca, to present a set of initiatives with the aim of promoting social, economic and environmental transformation. of the Micay Canyon region.
The visit responds to the direct instruction of the President of the Republic, Gustavo Petro Urrego, who seeks a comprehensive intervention to improve the living conditions of the communities.
The delegation was made up of the ministers of Mines and Energy, Andrés Camacho; Environment, Susana Muhamad; Agriculture, Martha Carvajalino; ICT, Mauricio Lizcano; Defense, Iván Velásquez, and Health, Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo, as well as the director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency (Dapre), Laura Sarabia. In addition, directors of entities such as the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), the National Institute of Roads (Invías), Social Prosperity and the Directorate of Substitution of Crops for Illicit Use, among others, participated.
Agriculture: Sustainable productive alternatives
In the agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development committed to implementing sustainable agroforestry systems in the Micay Canyon region. These will be accompanied by technical assistance, agro-industrial transformation and collection and marketing processes. For this purpose, a budget of 15 billion pesos has been allocated, seeking to develop productive alternatives that improve the living conditions of farmers.
Connectivity and education: ICT strengthens technological infrastructure
The Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) also joined the institutional offer, with the aim of bringing a cell phone signal to rural areas and providing equipment to schools in the region. Currently, 11 educational institutions are connected to the internet, and the plan is to extend this coverage to all schools in the area, thus facilitating access to education for children and young people in the region.
Health
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection announced an investment of more than 22,458 million pesos for the construction of a new Health Care Unit in El Plateado. In addition, 3,844 million were allocated to provide the municipality with basic health equipment. In total, the investment in Cauca amounts to 339,110 million pesos, in order to improve hospital infrastructure, provide medical equipment and guarantee quality care for all inhabitants of the region.
Environment: Projects for biodiversity and crop substitution
The Minister of Environment, Susana Muhamad, announced the allocation of 22 billion pesos from the Fund for Life and Biodiversity, destined for projects that promote the substitution of illicit crops in Algeria. This initiative seeks to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable practices among farmers in the region.
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Energy: Energy communities and Agrarian Reform
The Ministry of Mines and Energy announced the “Energy Communities” program, which aims to support Agrarian Reform and Mining Districts in the region. This initiative will allow mining to be governed in a community and sustainable manner, contributing to the economic development of rural areas.
Security: Reinforcement of operation Perseus
In terms of security, the Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez, reported that Operation Perseo continues to advance in Cauca, with a reinforced presence of the Public Force. Soldiers from Acción Integral entered the area with the objective of protecting the communities and collaborating in prevention, social support and substitution of illicit crops. These actions are part of the “Cauca Mission”, an initiative of the Ministry of Defense to pacify the region.
Crop replacement
The Directorate for Substitution of Crops for Illicit Use presented an ambitious plan to transform illegal economies into licit ones. In Algeria, a Comprehensive Intervention Model will be implemented that will focus on coffee production under an agroforestry system, benefiting 146 productive units in the region. This model includes the creation of collection centers and roasters, as well as the training of local producers to improve the marketing and profitability of coffee in international markets.
Road infrastructure
Regarding infrastructure, the National Institute of Roads (Invías) highlighted the execution of agreements with the Community Action Boards in several towns in Algeria, such as La Primavera and Villa del Prado. Currently, six more agreements are underway that are expected to be finalized in 2024. In addition, studies are being carried out to improve the Popayán-Guapi and Plateado-Argelia road corridors, which seek to improve the connectivity of the region.
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