Farmers in the rural zones of Medellín, Colombia, find themselves cornered by increasing property taxes and rapid urbanization. Of nearly 2,500 farmers who remain, many feel they have no outlet to cultivate and sell their produce. Rapid city expansion and luxury construction projects in Medellín in traditionally agricultural areas have made farming more challenging and less profitable.
This issue, dubbed ‘the lament of the farmer’ by local community leader Clara Cano, is particularly acute in Santa Elena and San Cristóbal, where traditionally there were more residents. Urban pressure is only one aspect of the reduction in Medellín’s rural sector; perhaps more significant is the low prices city dwellers are willing to pay for vegetables.
César Augusto Álvarez, a farmer from San Cristóbal, complains that the profits from his produce do not cover the rising costs of fertilizers, labor, and transport to the city. Clara Cano from the rural El Patio has the same issue.
Additionally, unpredictable weather such as heavy rains can ruin crops. As a result, some farmers prefer to sell part of their land, use the money to construct rental apartments providing steady income, and reduce the uncertainty of agricultural work.
The situation has worsened this year with the city updating its property valuations, leading to significant increases in property taxes. Diego Gutiérrez, a grower from San Antonio de Prado, was shocked when he learned that the valuation of his two properties had soared from $9 million and $237 million to $151 million and $950 million respectively, leading to steep property tax increases.