ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Na entrada di 2026, United Farmers Association of Aruba (UFA) ta
expresa su speransa cu confianza pa e aña cu ta bini y ta reafirma su compromiso pa
fortalese produccion local di cuminda como un pilar esencial pa resiliencia nacional.
E interrupcionnan cu Aruba a sinti despues di e eventonan di 3 di januari na Venezuela, cu
a resulta den cancelacion di hopi vuelo y inseguridat logístico, a sirbi como un recordatorio
claro, similar a lo que nos a biba durante COVID-19, di con rapido evento externo por
afecta e cadena di suministro di nos isla. E momentonan aki ta mustra cu soberania
alimentario mester keda un prioridad estrategico. Aruba no por perde di bista e leccionnan
aprendí den tiempo di crisis, ora acceso na importacion por wordo limita y capacidad local
bira crucial.
UFA constantemente a enfatisa e importancia di incentiva y proteha nos comunidad di
agricultor. Agricultornan local no ta solamente productor di cuminda; nan ta un
salvaguardia importante pa Aruba, manteniendo e conocimiento, capacidad y
infrastructura necesario pa garantisa continuidad di suministro di alimento ora sistema
internacional ta wordo interrumpí.
Mientras condicionnan regional ta stabilisá y mercado ta bolbe na normal, UFA ta advertí
gobierno y comunidad pa no bolbe cay den un dependencia excesivo riba produccion
importa barato. Asequibilidad di corto plazo no mester socava resiliencia di largo plazo.
Sosten continuo di politica ta esencial, incluyendo acceso na tera, awa, utilidatnan
electrico, financiamiento y tecnologia, asina tambe extension y mehoracion di incentivo
fiscal existente cu ta permití agricultornan local keda competitivo pa reinvertí den sistema
di produccion moderno, eficiente y sostenible. Esaki lo yuda garantisa cu agricultura local
por keda viabel y competitivo na largo plazo.
United Farmers Association of Aruba ta mira 2026 cu bon speransa, convenci cu, cu
prioridadnan claro y compromiso consistente, Aruba por sigui construí un sistema
alimentario mas fuerte, mas auto-suficiente y mas resiliente, cu ta sirbi tanto e
agricultornan como e comunidad mas amplio.
Tocante United Farmers Association of Aruba
United Farmers Association of Aruba ta representa y sostene agricultornan local, y ta boga
pa un sector agricola resiliente, sostenible y competitivo cu ta contribui na seguridad
alimentario di largo plazo pa Aruba.
UFA: Local Agriculture Must Remain a Strategic Priority for Aruba
ORANJESTAD, Aruba — As Aruba enters 2026, the United Farmers Association of Aruba
(UFA) expresses cautious optimism for the year ahead and reaffirms its commitment to
strengthening local food production as a pillar of national resilience.
The disruptions felt in Aruba following the events of January 3rd in Venezuela, which led to
widespread flight cancellations and logistical uncertainty, served as a clear reminder,
much like during the COVID-19 pandemic, of how quickly external events can affect the
island’s supply chains. These moments underscore the urgency of treating food sovereignty
and security as a strategic priority. Aruba cannot afford to lose sight of the lessons learned
during times of crisis, when access to imported goods is suddenly constrained and local
capacity becomes essential.
The UFA has consistently stressed the importance of incentivizing and protecting Aruba’s
farming community. Local farmers are not merely producers; they are a critical safeguard
for the island, maintaining the capacity, knowledge, and infrastructure needed to ensure
continuity of food supply when international systems are disrupted.
As regional conditions stabilize and markets normalize, the UFA cautions policymakers
against reverting to an over-dependence on cheap imported produce. Short-term
affordability must not undermine long-term resilience. Sustained policy support, including
access to land, water, electrical utilities, financing, technology, and the extension and
improvement of existing tax incentives that enable local farmers to remain competitive and
to reinvest in modern, efficient, and sustainable production systems is essential to ensure
that local agriculture remains viable and competitive.
The United Farmers Association of Aruba looks to 2026 with good hopes, confident that
with clear priorities and consistent commitment, Aruba can continue building a stronger,
more self-reliant, and resilient food system that serves both farmers and the wider
community.
About the United Farmers Association of Aruba
The United Farmers Association of Aruba represents and supports local farmers,
advocating for a resilient, sustainable, and competitive agricultural sector that contributes
to long-term food security for Aruba.
