Argentina Slashes Seven State Agencies in Bid to Save Public Money
The Argentine government announced on July 8, 2025, that it will restructure seven public agencies, saying they had become too large and inefficient to justify their costs.
The Ministry of Economy explained that these changes aim to better protect taxpayer money and make government spending more transparent and effective.
One of the biggest changes hits the National Institute of Industrial Technology (INTI), which had grown to 2,356 employees and a yearly budget of 85.6 billion pesos—about 67.8 million US dollars.
The government said INTI’s staff numbers had ballooned without a real increase in services. Now, INTI will operate as a smaller unit under the Ministry of Economy.
The National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) will also be downsized and refocused. Instead of supporting family farming and agroecology, INTA will now concentrate on innovation and technology transfer.
Argentina Reshapes Agencies to Cut Spending and Boost Efficiency
The government wants to stop using public money to maintain what it calls an oversized agency. Other agencies are being dissolved entirely. The Regulatory Agency for the Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis Industry will become a smaller office within the Ministry of Economy.
The National Institute of Family, Peasant, and Indigenous Agriculture and the National Seed Institute (INASE) will be closed, with their main responsibilities moved to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The National Wine Institute (INV) will remain, but with a reduced role. The government criticized INV for too much regulation, which it said raised costs and hurt small producers.
The National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) will also be restructured and placed under the Ministry of Economy. These changes are part of President Javier Milei’s plan to cut government spending and make the public sector more efficient.
Since taking office in December 2023, Milei’s administration has focused on reducing the size of government, arguing that a leaner state will help Argentina fix its long-standing economic problems.
| Agency Name | Main Role | What’s Changing | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| INTI (National Institute of Industrial Technology) | Supports industrial technology and innovation | Becomes a smaller unit under the Ministry of Economy | Had 2,356 staff and a budget of $67.8 million USD; staff numbers grew faster than services delivered |
| INTA (National Institute of Agricultural Technology) | Develops agricultural technology | Becomes a decentralized agency focused on innovation; less focus on small-scale farming and agroecology | Previously supported family farming and agroecology |
| Cannabis Regulatory Agency | Regulated hemp and medicinal cannabis | Dissolved; now a smaller office in the Ministry of Economy | Disbanded due to lack of effective results |
| National Institute of Family, Peasant and Indigenous Agriculture | Supported small-scale and indigenous farming | Dissolved; responsibilities moved to the Ministry of Agriculture | No longer a separate agency |
| INASE (National Seed Institute) | Regulated seed production and quality | Dissolved; responsibilities moved to the Ministry of Agriculture | No longer a separate agency |
| INV (National Wine Institute) | Certifies wine production and export | Becomes a smaller unit under the Ministry of Agriculture | Criticized for excessive regulation and bureaucracy, especially for small producers |
| INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property) | Manages patents and trademarks | Becomes a decentralized agency under the Ministry of Economy | Now under direct ministerial control |
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