Emergency in the NGOs of Cordoba: almost 90% are missing and they are debating a law to save them

Argentina's National Congress is considering proposals aimed at authorizing agricultural cultivation on approximately 50,000 hectares of land adjacent to national highways, currently classified as public domain. The initiatives, being discussed in the House of Representatives' Transportation Committee, seek to allow farming activities near roads under specific conditions, reversing a 2008 regulation that banned such practices. A meeting was held recently to provide information on the topic, with discussions focusing on how these areas could be used productively while maintaining road safety and infrastructure integrity. The proposals originate from two legislators: Javier Sánchez Wrba of the PRO party and Agustina Propato of the UXP faction. According to the Foundation Barbechando, which has been monitoring the issue, both plans aim to enable the productive use of lands near national routes through formal permissions and conditions. These areas would be added to existing farmland, potentially increasing Argentina’s agricultural output. The foundation emphasized that neither proposal suggests planting directly on the shoulders or safety zones of highways, ensuring that traffic flow and maintenance remain unaffected. Under Sánchez Wrba’s initiative, front-line farmers, those whose properties border roads, would have priority access to these areas through payment of a fee. This would grant them permission to cultivate the land, which is currently owned by the state. The funds collected from this arrangement would be directed toward different purposes depending on the proposer. The PRO plan allocates revenues to maintain the National Road Network, whereas the UXP proposal emphasizes social and cooperative goals. Sánchez Wrba shared his views on social media, stating that increasing production involves better utilization of available territory. He highlighted that the project aims to restore the productive use of lands adjacent to national highways, with a key condition being the preservation of safety for road users. The discussion of the bill has begun within the Transportation Committee, signaling initial legislative interest. According to Barbechando, the proposals stem from efforts to overturn a prohibition that has been in place since 2008. Prior to that year, it was common practice to cultivate along roads, but the regulation nullified previous permissions for sowing, cultivating, and harvesting in these areas. An estimate included in the proposal suggests that adding roughly two additional hectares per linear kilometer in productive regions, based on a National Road Network spanning around 40,000 kilometers, could result in up to 50,000 hectares becoming available for annual crops. The foundation noted that several jurisdictions already have regulations allowing compatible uses of road areas for agriculture. For example, the province of Buenos Aires permits municipalities to grant temporary usage rights on strips adjacent to provincial roads through Law No. 10,342 from 1985. Specific municipal experiences, such as those in the city of 9 de Julio, demonstrate practical applications of such policies under provincial and local norms. The debate over these proposals reflects broader considerations regarding land use, economic opportunities, and infrastructure management. While the potential benefits include increased agricultural productivity and efficient land use, concerns about road safety, environmental impact, and regulatory consistency remain topics for further scrutiny. As the legislation progresses through the committee, stakeholders will likely continue to assess its implications for both rural communities and transportation networks.