Aruba launches Cunucu Butucu project to boost food security

The government of Aruba has approved the Cunucu Butucu project, a strategic initiative designed to bolster local food security and reduce the island's heavy reliance on imports. Currently, Aruba imports approximately 99 per cent of its food, leaving the nation vulnerable to international supply chain disruptions and price volatility.

Approved by the Council of Ministers on September 18, the project aims to provide farmers and livestock producers with dedicated production plots and essential infrastructure. Key components under development include reliable water supply systems utilizing rainwater harvesting, solar energy generation, and specialized facilities for composting, vermiculture, and the production of livestock-feed blocks.

To support commercial viability, the plan includes the establishment of a central wholesale market for local produce and a center for technical training and cooperation in partnership with DLVV Santa Rosa. The initiative seeks to mitigate existing challenges for local producers, such as high costs for water and animal feed, limited land access, and insufficient technical support.