Argentina's latest economy chief announces new agriculture pick

Juan Bahillo will be the new agriculture secretary

Argentina's incoming economy minister, dubbed a "superminister" due to his expanded portfolio, announced new secretary picks including for the key farm sector on Tuesday, part of the government's latest bid to reign in a severe economic crisis, Qazet.az reports.

President Alberto Fernandez tasked congressional leader Sergio Massa with taming surging inflation, government spending as well as addressing a range of tax and trade policies crucial to the country's powerhouse agricultural sector ahead of elections next year.

A politically savvy lawyer backed by the ruling Peronist coalition's center-left as well as its more hard-line leftist faction, Massa is expected to advocate orthodox economic policies in part due to his past track record working closely with international investors.

On Tuesday, he announced that Juan Bahillo will be the new agriculture secretary, reporting to Massa. Bahillo is a political leader, former federal lawmaker and rural farmer from Entre Rios province.