Bolivian horticulturists in Argentina: Immigration processes, work and conflictive settlement

Abstract

The bolivian immigrants that settled in rural areas of Argentina and work in horticultural production have made similar trajectories to those who went to work in the horticultural central belt of Buenos Aires.  However, they did develop other particularities in some respects, related with the intrinsic characteristics of the local cultures.

The horticultural activity in the green belt of the city of Rio Cuarto (province of Cordoba) has experienced significant transformations in the last 25 years, boosted by the arrival of the first bolivian migrants to the sector during the first decade of the 90s.  In the same way as in other horticultural belts in the country, the bolivian horticulturist introduced a model of production based on certain elements: the use of genetically modified seeds, the expansion of greenhouse production, modifications in the organization of work, and changes in risk systems technology.  These were skills that had been learnt in other horticultural areas in Argentina.  This led to the consolidation of the city of Rio Cuarto and its wider sphere of influence as an important nucleus for the diverse production of vegetables, both in quantity and quality.