At Gramoven they are going all out for food production.

Sustainable Agriculture Thrives in Gramoven, Caracas

In western Caracas, specifically in Gramoven, the local community is making significant strides in sustainable agriculture. At the Fabricio Ojeda Endogenous Development Center (NUDEFO), they’re producing biofertilizers, fruits, and vegetables.

This complex, located in the Sucre parish of the Libertador municipality, is home to the Agricultural Association and Quilombo. Through the Fabricio Ojeda Vive commune, their products are distributed to supply local communities, schools, and small and medium-sized businesses.

Boosting Biofertilizer Production

The warehouses of the Quilombo association, composed of residents, engineers, and specialists, weekly produce more than 750 liters of 100% organic liquid fertilizer.

Víctor Herrera, a metalworking technician and leader of the Production Unit, explained to Últimas Noticias that they currently supply this product to small and medium-sized producers. These producers have historically faced challenges from transnational corporations regarding bio-inputs. They also supply families with home gardens or agro-urban plots.

Herrera stated that the marketing and distribution are managed by the commune, with the aim of consolidating the communal economic system. He emphasized the importance of these connections in building a communal state and dismantling the mercantilist structure.

The Science Behind the Biofertilizers

Jesús Pizarro, an agronomist and PhD in Soil Biology, explained that the process began with 24 years of research to stabilize the formulas. They developed a vitamin that rapidly generates a concentration of particles, nourishing plants through their roots and promoting their development.

Pizarro affirmed that their biofertilizers are safe for health and do not harm the soil or the environment. They are made from the decomposition of plants and some animal waste, sterilized through a safe process. This allows them to be used on any type of plantation, at any temperature, and at any soil level.

The agricultural engineer detailed that the biofertilizer produced at Quilombo consists of:

• Five biohormones: gibberella, cytokine, acetic acid, abscisic acid, and auxin, which promote plant development and flowering.
• A biofungicide: which controls mites, nematodes, beetles, butterflies, spiders, fungi, and bacteria without killing them.
• Vitamins: that contribute to plant flowering and maintenance.

Expanding Production for National Demand

Pizarro noted that expansions are currently underway at the production plant to optimize and increase biofertilizer capacity at the Quilombo warehouses, within Nudefo.

With the installation of new storage and processing tanks, thanks to support from the Venezuelan government, they expect to produce up to 160,000 liters of biofertilizer per week.

The new space will house four tanks for storing biofertilizers, biohormones, vitamins, and biofungicides. At the end of the process, these will be combined to form a liquid fertilizer called Más Suelo. This product will then be distributed by the Fabricio Ojeda Vive Commune to small and medium-sized producers, family and school gardens, CLAP (National Association of Agricultural Producers), and the Venezuelan government.

Pizarro highlighted the high demand for this type of compound in Venezuela, stating, “because we don’t have enough synthetic fertilizers.” The specialist’s goal is to produce 150 million liters in the next three years, ensuring quality food for the country.

Flourishing Community Farming

Agricatía is another association formed by four community residents. With support from the Ministry of Communities, they have successfully developed their productive garden.

Olga Carrasco, a producer at Agricatía, shared that they have been operating for over 20 years, growing and overcoming difficulties. They now boast four nurseries and increased planting capacity.

The area’s climate allows various crops to thrive, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, zucchini, cucumbers, legumes, chilies, papayas, and avocados. Carrasco added, “We are planting hibiscus and medicinal plants, as well as chives, lettuce, and chard.”

Their nurseries have their own seedbeds and produce compost from on-site waste, using a 100% organic process.

Carrasco explained that the produce is sold directly to the Nudefo community at prices below market rates. Their main buyers are teachers, though they also serve wholesale customers.

Both Quilombo and Agricatía are committed to continuing their focus on local food production at the Gramoven center.