The State initiative is in the same way carrying out the structuring of a Framework Agreement with the Ministry of Health, the Department of Social Prosperity, INVIAS and the Ministry of Education for civil works by Military Engineers.
Currently, education centers are being identified in conflict zones in order to establish safe alternative school routes to increase access to education and the protection of students.
The private sector is supporting this plan through the Manos Unidas por el Campo Foundation, which will support marketing, postharvest management and other stages of the production chain.
Within the framework of the strategy of the National Government Misión Cauca, the first 200 hectares of beans plantations were distributed to benefit 900 people of the municipality of Argelia, who, thanks to the coordinated work of the State institutions, will have productive projects that will improve their living conditions.
This comprehensive intervention of the territory leads to the substitution of illicit plantations and the transit to legal and sustainable activities, which will ensure all the parts of the chain, from planting to its commercialization.
According to the Deputy Minister for Defense and Security policies, Daniela Gómez Rivas, with the Cauca Mission, the aim is to accompany the military and police operation against organized armed groups with the entry of institutional services and new opportunities for peasants in the territories.
"Peace is not possible without the economic transformation of the territories, we are strengthening the productive sector of this region, that's why we hope to work together with the communities, so that they associate and thus change the face of Argelia; not only weapons will change the things, we must build a state,” he added.
In addition to this distribution, in a second phase, 300 more hectares will be granted to benefit 1,700 people, including 100 hectares that will be used to plant 500,000 coffee seedlings and native trees, which will contribute to the restoration of the ecosystems of the region and will have a positive impact on the environment.
Another of the efforts of this joint operation is the construction of the nurseries of Argelia and the José Hilario López Battalion in Popayán, which have made progress of 80% and 30% respectively and are expected to supply quality plant material with the certification of the ICA to work to raise the quality of the seeds.
On the other hand, Major General Erick Rodríguez, commander of Colombian National Army's Joint Command No. 2, insisted on the need to replace illicit plantations such as coca with new agricultural chains.
“Because of the coca bush, structures of organized armed groups are in the region and this brings misfortunes such as the recruitment of minors, which they use to protect the profits left by the leaf. The soldiers are working for peace, that's why the main objective is the protection of the communities,” the officer said.
Finally, the commander of the Army's Third Division, Brigadier General Federico Mejia, added that the Military Forces are not going to leave the Micay Canyon, “we are going to conduct operations with depth and power, we are not going to leave them alone, this is the first step for new and better opportunities for Argelia,” he said.
Source: Press – Ministry of National Defense
