November 19th, 1937

Chairman Grove's economic plan for enriching the Chilean economy, the Three Pillars of New Chile, continues through the end of 1937, already reaping huge benefits for the Chilean people.

Tractores Nuevos

As our planting season continues, the Chilean government is enthralled to present a shipment of new tractors and equipment to the Agricultural Cooperation and Collectivization Committee (CdCAC) for distribution to farmers in Chile and, to a lesser extent, in Argentina. These tractors, of two different models, were acquired from Ukraine and are of the most modern and advanced design. They include the standard-size TP-37 (termed the 'Tractor Nacional' or TN by CdCAC) and the large-size TP-38 (termed the 'Tractor Nacional Grande' or TNG by CdCAC). The TN is planned to be used on smaller plots and those in hilly terrain, and to supplement the TNG on larger collectivized farms. The TNG will primarily be used in the Chilean Central Valley as well as in the Pampas region in Argentina, on large farms. Both these types are unique in that they are fueled by ethanol, which means that, in the event of a war that takes up critical resources, they will not take up critical gasoline supplies.

Producción de Etanol

In preparation for this large new shipment, Chilean industry, in cooperation with advisers from Argentina, has worked hard since the early Winter period towards the production of ethanol in Chile. While some ethanol has been imported and distributed to farms in preparation for the new tractors, twelve small ethanol plants as well as a handful of large ones have been inaugurated in the Chilean Central Valley as well as in the Argentina Pampas. These production units can ferment a few different types of starches, such as corn, wheat barley or potatoes to produce ethanol. However, as standard practice, tractors will be provided with a blend of about 50% gasoline and 50% ethanol, since there is not enough ethanol production to fulfill the needs of the agricultural industry as of yet. Further expansion of ethanol production is expected, especially if the worsening worldwide political situation means that gasoline supplies are cut off.