Strikes and blockades: Roads in Tarija are blocked today; the major Workers Union (COB) is calling for a 48 hour strike, starting this Thursday (pending issues with the government); yesterday Cochabamba – La Paz road was blocked near kilometer 7 in Cochabamba as the population did not want a water treatment plant there.

Agriculture: Prices for soy; wheat and corn production are going down.

• Soy international prices per ton felled from $540 to $433, its lowest level since January this year. If prices were to fall to $250 per ton, then it would become a problem, said Anapo president, Demetrio Perez. http://www.paginasiete.bo/2011-10-04/Economia/Destacados/10Eco01041011.aspx
• Wheat and corn: Wheat production has gone down by 40% and corn by 35%, comparing results from 2009 and 2010. Lack of proper incentives and weather are the sources for this happening. http://www.laprensa.com.bo/diario/actualidad/economia/20111004/cae-produccion-de-maiz-y-trigo_8268_13952.html

Blackouts: Bolivian government believes that blackouts will be controlled with this contingency plan:

20% of the billion dollars promised by the Central Bank will go to implement this contingency plan. The read bars on the chart above show a total of 115 MW that will become available by the dates shown to the left of the red bars. Other projects set forth by ENDE are in yellow lines on the right side, with the expected dates, totalling 222 MW. A total of 337 MW in two years [I will have to believe or hope for ceteris paribus conditions).

http://www.la-razon.com/version.php?ArticleId=138592&EditionId=2673

TIPNIS: The protest-walk is underway; indigenous group has shown resolve and have not engaged in conflict, despite insults along the way. Brazil on the other hand is playing a diplomatic speech, hoping for dialogue between the Bolivian government and the indigenous people. Nevertheless,  the international visibility of what is going on with the marching group is growing every day and the cause of TIPNIS is becoming stronger as the distance to La Paz city is shortened.

http://www.opinion.com.bo/opinion/articulos/2011/1004/noticias.php?id=27414