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Eloiza Rojas, the Woman Who Dared to Venture into the Forestry Sector

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Forests, like many other sectors, are exposed to countless actions that harm the growth or development of species, especially trees.

Pests delay the growth and productivity of trees, which is why it's crucial to stay vigilant and combat them in time. In this regard, Eloiza Rojas, originally from Curanilahue in the province of Arauco, Biobío Region, decided to create her own company that produces biocontrol agents—but in a natural way.

She studied at the only polytechnic high school in her district, graduating in 1991 with a degree in Forestry Technology. Later, she took several courses to improve her skills and acquire new knowledge, techniques, and work models—all on her own, as she was working and studying at the time.

When motherhood came into her life, she had to pause her studies and dedicated herself to raising her children while also being the head of the household. "I always had this desire to move forward, learn, and grow. That’s why, a few years later, I joined a company dedicated to forest pest control, where I was able to develop my knowledge and became part of the team that traveled to Australia to collect biocontrol agents native to that continent," she recalled.

It was precisely this trip that broadened her perspective, and upon returning to Chile, she made the decision to become independent. With great effort, she founded her company, Terrafina.

In the beginning, she started her entrepreneurial journey by taking on small jobs, applying the knowledge she gained in Australia, and always striving to stand out in the market. "With these tasks, I began doing things on a small scale and gradually grew through contacts and the quality of my work. That’s how I managed to validate myself in the forestry sector, earning the distinction of being one of the few women in this field," she emphasized.

Today, she has a production capacity that allows her to deliver materials tailored to climatic conditions to combat forest pests, such as the infamous weevils, which belong to a family called 'herbivorous coleopterans'—the most important and diverse in the superfamily Curculionoidea. Technically, weevils are known as curculionids and are part of one of the largest animal families, with 5,489 genera and 86,100 species worldwide.

Eloiza explained that this pest originates from Australia, and its control agent comes along with it. "My job is to prevent the eggs from turning into larvae. Essentially, I interrupt the cycle with my biological control agent. It’s a pest that’s managed, not eradicated. It’s always there, moving in any way possible. For example, it can cling to people’s clothes when they walk through a forest. Wind and logging operations also contribute to its spread," she noted.

She acknowledged that her journey has been long, but achievements have come with time. Today, Terrafina is a consolidated and respected company among her peers in this male-dominated industry. She was even recognized as an outstanding forestry woman by them, which filled her with pride because they valued her work.

Different Things

"Being an employee is one thing, and running a small business is another—it’s completely different, especially because having is one thing, and maintaining is another. So, you have to have heart. I started with tenders, small landowners as clients, sometimes doing things for free so they could see my idea worked. But today, more companies believe in me, even Conaf," she stated.

She began alone, but today her venture employs 12 workers, who are the foundation for new challenges. She highlights that both men and women can equally perform the collection tasks her company requires—it’s their skills and commitment that allow her to stand out in the market.

Terrafina is now moving forward and has recently become a partner of the National Wood Corporation (Corma), a significant achievement and a source of pride, as it opens doors to new stages in her world.