Day 4: A Chilean Education

We started off day four of our International Study Tour learning about the Chilean economy at Scotiabank. Chile has the fifth largest economy in Latin America and has seen significant growth in their economy over the last 30 years. The Canadian Dollar and the Chilean Peso react to the world economy in a similar fashion; when one appreciates the other tends to appreciate as well. While the economy is strong, only 3.3 million Chileans use the banking system - and the country has a population of over 17 million.

The group then visited the Sociedad Nacional de Agricultura (National Society of Agriculture), which was established in 1838. The Sociedad attributes four factors to the success of Chilean agriculture: the abundance of free trade agreements (over 58 and counting), the country's Mediterranean climate, the fact that the country is free of pests and disease and that the growing season is the opposite of North America. Chilean agriculture faces similar challenges to those in Canada - attracting young people to the industry, access to infrastructure (transportation and irrigation), training for farmers, and simplifying reporting and regulations for the industry.

After a traditional Chilean lunch of chacarero (beef, green beans and tomato sandwich), we had the opportunity to visit Hogar de Cristo, a centre for adults in Santiago. With the help of donations, this group home provides accommodations, support and services to 100 adults. The staff and volunteers provide exceptional care and compassion for the welfare of those who face the challenges of substance abuse, alcohol dependency and domestic violence. A smile, a handshake and even sharing some ice cream brought a lot of joy to the residents.

We wrapped up the day with a visit to the Los Domnicos market place, a hub for local Chilean artisans. From jewellery to clothing to crafts, this marketplace had a little something for everyone. Be sure to watch for an authentic Chilean piece at the AALP Dream Auction in February 2016.

-Class 15

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Welcome to
Ontario Agriculture

Sign Up
or Sign In

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

anadian Tractor and Combine Sales Fall Sharply in September 2026. What It Says About Farmer Confidence

Canadian farmers continue to show caution when it comes to major equipment purchases, new data reveals double-digit declines in tractor and combine sales during September.

An open fall may offer Manitoba farmers a chance to turn marginal acres into opportunity

For Manitoba farmers looking for ways to get more from every acre, late fall can be the right time to tackle fields that consistently struggle to produce a profitable crop. Flood prone, weedy, saline areas can quietly eat into farm profitability year after year. Rather than continuing to apply crop inputs and fight with wet, saline acres that simply don’t pay, farmers can consider perennial forages as a longer-term solution. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is encouraging farmers to take advantage of the fall window for dormant seeding as part of its Marginal Areas Program. “Some acres aren’t as well suited to growing annual crops year after year,” says Daphne Appleyard, a marginal areas specialist with DUC. “Fall is a good opportunity to start changing that equation by establishing perennial forages. Perennials reduce the need for annual crop inputs, provide ground cover to reduce erosion and weed pressure, and deep roots use moisture more efficiently than annual crops while mitigatin

Nine companies join program aimed at advancing Canadian food supply chain

Canada’s opportunity to strengthen its economy and domestic food security by making more from what it grows is increasing, and companies from coast to coast are stepping up to help the country reach its full potential. Today, Protein Industries Canada announced the addition of nine new companies into its Strengthening the Canadian Supply Chain program, bringing new products to grocery store shelves and new benefits to consumers across the country. By making more from what we grow, Canada has the opportunity to add upwards of $5.4 billion to its GDP, supporting 34,000 jobs. The Strengthening the Canadian Supply Chain program supports this opportunity by helping Canadian SMEs reformulate or develop ingredients and food products using Canadian inputs, improving cost efficiencies and strengthening the domestic food supply chain. “Canada’s food production and value-added agriculture sector is built on strong foundations, but we have the opportunity to do more,” Protein Industries Canada C

USDA Makes Historic $3.3B Loan to Build Electric Generation Facility in Georgia

Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a historic $3.3 billion loan to Oglethorpe Power Corporation to help finance its Smarr Combined-Cycle electric generating facility in Monroe County, Georgia, during a visit to the construction site. This new facility will deliver dependable, affordable power for generations while helping meet America’s growing energy needs. This loan is the largest ever delivered in the history of USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service and comes at a critical time for investing in American energy. As stated by President Trump, the United States is experiencing a surge in electricity demand from rapid technological advancements. This project strengthens the nation’s electrical grid, and lower-cost financing will help keep electricity affordable for Georgia families. "Historic times call for historic actions, and this tremendous investment in America’s electric power grid is evidence of President Trump’s focus on powering our na

Davidson Grain Elevator Demolition Causes Power Outage Across Saskatchewan Community

The demolition of a grain elevator in Davidson, Sask., led to an unexpected power outage after the structure damaged a power line.

More…

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service