Every September 8, Argentina celebrates the Day of Agriculture and Agricultural Producers in commemoration of the founding of the country's first agricultural colony in 1856 in the town of Esperanza, province of Santa Fe. This date, established on 28 August 1944 by Decree N°23.317, aims to recognise and value the tireless work of those who dedicate their lives to agricultural production, one of the most relevant activities for the economic, social and cultural development of the country.

In the mid-19th century, Argentina was going through a process of national consolidation and expansion of its agricultural frontier. The government of Justo José de Urquiza, president of the Argentine Confederation at the time, promoted a policy of openness towards European inmigration, with the aim of populating vast uninhabited lands and implementing an agriculture that would sustain the country's growth.

It was the military man Don Aarón Castellanos (1799-1880) - who had participated in the independence struggles and had obtained the rank of Lieutenant in the Infernal squadron of Martín Miguel de Güemes, who managed the arrival of European immigrants, mostly Swiss, German and French, and took the initiative of founding Esperanza with the purpose of establishing an organised agricultural community.

Over the years, these settlers managed to organise a solid agricultural economy based on the cultivation of wheat, corn and other cereals, which became Argentina's first export products. This model of agricultural colonisation was later replicated in other regions of the country, contributing to the formation of numerous immigrant communities that forged the agro-exporting profile of our territory.

The founding of Colonia Esperanza symbolises the beginning of Argentina's transformation into an agricultural country. These pioneers laid the foundations for the rural development and productive expansion that would characterise the country in the following decades.

The work of farmers and agricultural producers is worthy of recognition as they not only contribute to the country's food security, but also face climatic, technological and market challenges.

This 8 September, we celebrate and thank farmers and agricultural producers for their commitment to the land, food production and sustainable development in Argentina.