Organic Aloe Vera, a pioneer enterprise in Formosa

Two young Buenos Aires grow this plant to produce juices and cosmetics

Courtesy The Nation Campo, November 12, 2011
By Robert Seifert

Nutritional supplements and cosmetics for skin treatments made with organic aloe begin to gain a foothold in the domestic market and are looking to venture into export. These are the first results of an enterprise led by two young professionals in Formosa (Argentinean Province).

When in 2003 the degree in International Relations Juliana Vietri and Alejandro Coronel, degree in political science, crossed in Buenos Aires headquarters of the University of Bologna to study a Masters in Research Methodology, they have never imagined that years later they would become pioneers in the country in the production of organic aloe vera, a plant health benefits.

"Since we both lived in the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires we were on the train and matured the idea of putting together a productive enterprise regardless of our professions", said Coronel, 42 years old. "A little adventurous and tired of earning little money to research, seeking new horizons," he reflected wryly Vietri, of 35 years old.

And in that search appeared Aloe vera. "We learned that there was an interesting market and that Formosa was the most suitable place to produce for its good rainfall, fewer frosts and sandy soil. That idea was biting me and Juliana decided to start", said Coronel.

"So we went by bus to Formosa to buy a farm. At first was difficult, because the lands are of Aboriginal girls or their descendants and they didn’t want to sell them. So we had to rent two acres in Laishí Mission, 60 km from the capital of the province. It was in 2003, and a year later with our own resources we could buy 17 acres (behind the two rented) to $500 an acre".

The first planting was done in 2004 with advice from the Institute of Soil and Water INTA. "We were the pioneers in Formosa to produce organic Aloe vera. With an investment of 10,000 pesos, we bought the first seedlings in San Marcos Sierras (Córdoba)", said Vietri, adding that they decided on organic farming "to add a bonus to entrepreneurship, because in Argentina there was no production of organic Aloe vera".

He said the certification body, Organización Internacional Agropecuaria, advised them not only as regards the rules to be respected but also to the knowledge of soil Formosa. The crop production took four years and the last harvest 20,000 kilos of leaves obtained in seven hectares (in the remaining plants are still small), which itself processed in the laboratory have in Avellaneda (Santa Fe) were 10,000 liter are used to make juices and as input for cosmetics.

They explained that the juices are nutritional supplements (suitable for diabetics and celiacs), which are natural or flavored with fruit pulp. The line of cosmetics (lotion, gel and creams) are beneficial to combat wrinkles and hair treatments and burns, among other applications.

For now, all production is for domestic market, while studying in the export venture. The annual turnover is about 500,000 pesos. "But all that is earned is reinvested. It is a progressive business", concluded Colonel.

Source: www.lanacion.com.ar