Scandal-hit subsidy scheme to relaunch

The AIS agricultural subsidy program, which was at the center of a corruption scandal last year, will restart in January 2011, Colombia’s Agriculture Minister Juan  said Tuesday.

Restrepo claims that the relaunched AIS will put more emphasis on small farmers and projects that benefit the entire community, reported La Republica.

“Irrigation programs will be another priority for Agro Ingreso Seguro next year,” Restrepo stated.

Ex-Agricultural Ministers Andres Felipe Arias and Andres Fernandez are under investigation for their role in the alleged misallocation of agricultural subsidies, which were intended for poor farmers but often went to large landowners, including political donors.

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