Consider the hands that shaped Argentina’s destiny. Here stands La Agricultura Statue. It is a testament to Argentina’s agricultural heritage. The statue is located at the intersection of Avenida San Isidro Labrador and Paroissien Street. Find it in the Saavedra neighborhood.
La Agricultura Statue is the work of sculptor Luis Ernesto Barrias. This sculpture was created in 1889. It was cast in the Thierbaut Frères foundry in France. La Agricultura was part of the Argentine Pavilion at the Universal Exposition in Paris. Four other similar sculptures were also displayed.
After the exposition, La Agricultura found its place in Buenos Aires. Today, it stands proudly near a branch of the Banco de la Nación Argentina. Its location marks the beginning of Avenida San Isidro Labrador. The avenue starts with the number 4001.
From 1880 to 1930 Argentina saw economic growth. This was driven by beef and grain exports. Agriculture in Argentina was initially limited. It focused on exporting cattle hides and wool. But the fertile Pampas region became an epicenter. It was suited for livestock grazing and cereal cultivation.
By the 1920s Argentine exports reached $1 billion annually. 99% of that was agricultural. Maize and wheat overshadowed beef production. Argentina’s agricultural success surpassed other countries. These included Australia, the USA, Canada and Brazil.
The Great Depression hit in 1930. Production began to lag. After 1930 Argentina fell behind its competitors. From the late 19th century to the 1930s agriculture boomed in the fertile Pampas.
Agricultural exports helped Argentina during the World Wars. They financed machinery and consumer goods imports. President Juan Perón created a single grain purchaser. This benefited growers with investments. These included infrastructure and pest control.
After Perón’s removal in 1955 administrations prioritized industrialization. Agricultural groups struggled to regain influence. Since 1960 agriculture expanded from the Pampas. It reached NW Argentina. This happened at the expense of natural forests. Productivity increased with modern technology.
Policies under Arturo Frondizi led to farm machinery makers. These spurred modernization. Cost-cutting measures closed sugar mills in 1966. Domestic austerity policies led to trade surpluses. This was led by agricultural exports. Notably, soybean cultivation boomed.
In 1991 the Argentine peso was tied to the U.S. dollar. This reduced export competitiveness. Stability led to investments in agriculture. Growth in harvests occurred during the late 1990s. GMO crops were approved in 1995.
A peso devaluation in 2002 encouraged the sector. It led to record production and exports. This helped finance public works. Export tariffs became a point of contention. In 2008 a tariff increase led to conflict. The measure was defeated in the Senate.
La Agricultura Statue stands as a symbol. It represents the historical trajectory of Argentina. It embodies the evolution of its agricultural sector. As you stand before La Agricultura Statue consider the journey of a nation. Agriculture shaped its identity and its economy.