Security, forestry promotion, and wildfires set the agenda for meeting between Agriculture Minister and guilds in Yumbel

The commune of Yumbel was the setting for a working meeting led by the Minister of Agriculture, Jaime Campos, alongside the executive director of Infor, Gabriel Valenzuela, an instance that brought together representatives of the main forestry guilds to address the challenges currently facing the sector.

During the session, authorities and leaders agreed on the need to advance an agenda that strengthens forestry activity, with special emphasis on rural security, productive reactivation through new promotion instruments, and the strengthening of wildfire prevention.

Minister Campos valued the meeting, highlighting that it brought together the different actors linked to forestry activity to exchange views and build tools that drive the sector's development.

"This instance allows us to try to build together what should be the tools that will enable the sector's development. And this is valuable to do here, in this region, since we well know that the heart of Chile's forestry is here," he stated.

Security and new laws to boost the sector

One of the main topics addressed was the security situation in rural areas of the Biobío Region, particularly in the province of Arauco, considered key for forestry development.

From the guilds, the need was raised to advance solutions that provide greater stability to the territories, along with the creation of a new forestry promotion law for plantations and native forest, as well as modern legislation on wildfires.

In this context, the president of Corma Biobío-Ñuble, Alejandro Casagrande, stated that the sector's priorities include strengthening rural security, promoting new promotion instruments for plantations and native forest, and developing a wildfire law with a strong focus on prevention, occurrence, and spread of fires.

For his part, the provincial presidential delegate of Biobío, Juan Pablo Mellado, highlighted the relevance of forestry activity for the local economy and valued the Government's commitment to recovering investments in the sector.

Over $12.8 billion for wildfire recovery and prevention

During the meeting, Conaf presented the progress of initiatives funded by the National Fund for Regional Development (FNDR), aimed at strengthening forestry management in the Biobío Region.

Among these, an investment of $12.8 billion approved by the Regional Council stands out, of which $9.8 billion will be allocated to the productive recovery of forests affected by wildfires. The initiative will allow reforesting approximately 4,000 hectares and benefit around 450 families.

Added to this are another $3 billion allocated to a program focused on wildfire prevention and mitigation in communes with a high incidence of fires, reinforcing regional capacities to face future emergencies.

Artificial Intelligence to detect forestry pests

Prior to the working meeting, the minister participated in the signing of an agreement between the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) and the Biobío university consortium to develop a tool based on Artificial Intelligence aimed at the pre-diagnosis of Lymantria dispar egg masses.

The initiative is part of the "Advanced Human Capital in Artificial Intelligence for Biobío" project and seeks to strengthen the sanitary protection of the forestry and agricultural sectors through technologies that allow faster and more accurate detection of potential phytosanitary threats.

The project includes the automated analysis of images obtained during inspections, reducing response times and improving control processes associated with maritime and forestry activity.