With Alberto Broch

CONTAG’s 16th Cry of the Earth concludes  

 “One of the most successful negotiations
in the life of our organization”

The 16th Cry of the Earth in Brazil came to an end yesterday in the capital city of Brasilia, with an announcement by CONTAG’s chairman, Alberto Broch, following his meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, where IUF Latin America Regional Secretary Gerardo Iglesias, was also present. The announcement made by Broch to the more than six thousand participants from all over the country was meant to inform in general terms what had been achieved in the negotiations held with the Government. In an interview with SIREL, Broch gave an overview of the outcome of their actions.

You have said that this Cry of the Earth has proven to be one of the most beneficial ever for CONTAG. Why’s that?

-First of all, because throughout the negotiation process initiated last March, after we presented our List of Demands to the Government, we managed to arrange 58 meetings with 18 different State Ministers, and that’s something we had never achieved before.  It means a great level of organization and very strong commitment by all members of CONTAG’s (National Confederation of Agriculture Workers) Board, as well as the Government’s willingness to negotiate.

We obtained an official response to each of the 216 items contained in our List of Demands; and not a single one of them was left out.

Also, we made significant advances in aspects like the general budget established by the Government for family farming activities during the upcoming period, which, despite not covering all our claims, it certainly represents a clear improvement, as compared to the previous situation. 

Advances were also achieved in terms of the Agriculture Policy Reform: State funds applied to the acquisition of land plots for family farming will be increased, and the gender and youth issues were specifically addressed.

That is why we consider this one of our most profitable negotiations ever. But that doesn’t mean we have fulfilled all our claims yet. A number of aspects of great important to us are still pending, like production indices that, despite our insistence, were not taken into consideration.

How was CONTAG able to attain the results it finally obtained?

-We are a national Confederation consisting of 27 federations representing 4 thousand labor unions. We are present practically throughout the whole country, which, in a country like Brazil, is not an easy feat.

Our organization dates back 46 years, with constant ups and downs, but with an unquestionable staying power, even in times of military regimes. 

The List of Demands we have presented the authorities with in regards to our demands have always been the result of thorough internal discussions and reflection towards ensuring a full and accurate representation of the needs and expectations for family farming.

It must also be mentioned that we have a dynamic internal democracy which we would like to continue improving. As it is, it enables the possibility of organizing events, and discussing regulations to be applied, as we move forward to face new challenges.

In order to head our organization one needs to have gone through a long internal process, a process that gives you certainty and confidence.

At present, CONTAG represents its great internal diversity, including federations that despite being members of different national unions, are still capable of coexisting internally and of prioritizing unity, for the sake of the incredible tool that our Confederation represents to us all.

We must not forget the numerous problems still unsolved, which we are more than willing to address. But this is a time for rejoicing, and for going home with the feeling of a job well done. A joy we can share with our families and fellow workers, who continue to work the fields for all of Brazil to feed on.