1. Ing. Agr. Romeo Volonté President of FUCREA Uruguay Ottawa, 15th October, 2013

3. FUCREA : Uruguayan Federation of CREA Groups CREA : Regional Centers of Agricultural Experimentation

4. French group of farmers, created after World War II. In the early 60s CREA Groups were established in Argentina. In 1965 the firsts Uruguayan CREA Groups were created. In 1966 FUCREA was founded by 6 Uruguayan CREA Groups. Nowadays similar institutions exist in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and France. our origins

5. TRADITION Long history in Uruguayan farming sector KNOWLEDGE Great experience in group working techniques, farm managemet, consultancies and farming extension RESEARCH Generates high quality information GROUP TECHNIQUES Contributes with working tools to each CREA Group values

6. “To offer methodological and technical support to CREA Groups, as well as institutional presence in the farming sector, to contribute to the personal and business development of its members, and to help them to be competitive in their activities". mission

7. 50 groups: beef cattle farms, dairy cattle farms, crops – beef cattle framsand fruits More than 600 farms 21 crops and beef cattle farmers groups: 350 farms 12 dairy farmers groups: 130 farms 5 groups of comercialization: 70 farms 4 fruits producers: 60 farms Total surface: 552.000 ha FUCREA gathers:

8. distribution

9. . Group of 10 – 15 farms + 1 technical advisor. Monthly meetings, once in each farm. Analyze production system, different ways to improve it. Searchs: – best solutions for their business and their families – personal development of each member the group

10. Our main challenge: Sustainability Ecological EconomicSocial How ? Who ?

11. Thanks for promoting this dialogue