The Government announced the implementation of the plan “Sowing RD” qwhich has as its objective increase food production that are part of the basic basket and in this way combat the global inflation produced, for the most part, due to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The information was offered by President Luis Abinader and the Minister of Agriculture, Limber Cruz, who stated that it is the first time “in a long time” that The world is experiencing a situation of “uncertainty and concern” in relation to the production and supply of food.
“In response to the enormous challenges facing agriculture and food production today, due to the factors mentioned above and with the commitment of ensure the food security of our people, as we have done in the time of our mandate”, said President Abinader during the press conference.
The “Siembra RD” plan consists of the contribution from the Executive Branch of some 1,275 million “additional” pesos to continue the fertilizer subsidy.
“That began in November of last year with 1,740 million pesos freezing the prices of this important input at the levels of September 2021, which would add 3,015 million pesos,” explained the head of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Likewise, a fund of 500 million pesos will be created at a rate of six percent per year to finance, through the Agricultural Bank, livestock production and take advantage of the recent opening of beef exports to the United States market.
Besides the services offered by the machinery centers will be “strengthened” in the 8 regional agricultural directorates, equipping it with 150 additional tractors with their respective plows and harrows; 20 maize and bean planters and 10 harvesters for these items. At the same time, it proposes the planting of 300,000 additional land tasks in the possession of the agrarian reform parceleros in crops, such as bananas, yuccas, sweet potatoes, pigeon peas, corn, potatoes and vegetables; among other measures.
“This is a commitment of the entire nation, of the government in the first place, of agricultural and livestock producers, of importers and distributors of inputs, of the food trade and all participants in the country’s agrifood chain. Our Government is committed to supporting national production to guarantee the food security of the Dominican people,” said the president.
Other measures
Other points include the installation in each regional directorate of agriculture of cultivation houses for the production of vegetable seedlings and their distribution to small farmers and families who wish to participate in the development of orchards. Includes training, technical assistance and distribution of fertilizers.
The incorporation of 120,000 tasks of land from the La Cruz de Manzanillo Project, Ceagana and other State land, attached to the Ministry of Agriculture for the production of food and fodder for livestock. Follow the “Beef and Milk Livestock Improvement Program”.
Chicken and egg production
‘popular sales’
It was also announced the expansion of programs like the “Popular Sales” from the National Price Stabilization Institute (Inespre); of the Construction and Rehabilitation of neighborhood and inter-parcel roads by 30%; the drilling of wells and construction of lagoons and reservoirs by 40% and the donation of 500,000 pollitas for the production of eggs and chicken meat.
Animal
Strengthening the Center for Biotechnology for Animal Reproduction (CEBIORA), through artificial insemination and embryos.
The press conference was held in the Las Cariatides Hall of the National Palace.