To buy land one first applies, in writing, to the governor of the state in which the land is situated. If no objection is found to the sale, a land commission surveys, classifies, and values the land. The application then goes to the Minister of Fomento, who, if he approves it, issues a deed, upon payment of purchase price in bonds of National International Consolidated Debt, or the equivalent at the current rates. The deed must then be properly recorded.
The government is encouraging the industry by the imposition of very high protective duties. An example may be found in the boot and shoe industry which is protected by a tariff, based in 1918 upon gross weight and, including surtaxes, amounting to $274.10 per 100 pounds.
Of late, more and more impetus has been given to the establishment of canning, tanning and meat packing plants. Yet, there is only one packing house in the country. The "Venezuelan Meat and Products Co., Ltd.," an English company, with a plant at Puerto Cabello, has practically a monopoly of the exportation of frozen and chilled meats and of "tasajo" (jerked beef). The capacity is 300 head of cattle per day and the chief market is Europe. The same company has invested large sums in choice cattle lands near the site of the factory, and since its infancy has shown a consistent tendency to steady expansion.
There are two sizable tanneries at Maracaibo which supply the local demand for coarse leather. Uppers for shoes and finer grades are imported from the United States. Other smaller tanneries are located at Caracas, Valencia and La Guaira.
At Barrancas is located a salt-meat plant which is expected shortly to handle 25,000 head of cattle per year in the production of gelatine, meat extracts, fertilizer and salt meats. The very high price of salt in Venezuela is a severe drawback to the salt-meat industry.
Río Chico is a manufacturing town, making soap and candles and passing the hides to La Guaira for tanning and export.
The Dairy and Canning plant at Maracay is entitled to special mention. It owes its success to the support given by General Gómez, its largest stockholder. It is ideally located, being surrounded by some of the most modern cattle ranches of the country, and has the advantages of nearby and easily accessible markets. The company also owns its own cows, and hogs which are supported by the waste and refuse of the factory.
The building is a specially constructed one, fitted out with a refrigerating plant and modern machinery of American and German make. Even the cans used are made within this building. Two kinds of butter are made here, one with salt and the other without salt. This is the best butter made in the country. Canned sterilized milk and cream are also produced, as is also a high grade of cheese. The capacity is 400 pounds of butter and 100 pounds of cheese per day.
Immediately upon entrance to this factory, one is impressed by the extreme cleanliness and efficiency existing and by the up-to-date methods used.
Finally, we may consider the advisability of investing capital in the cattle industry in Venezuela, as there is no question that real opportunity for profit exists here.