Speaking at the Meeting of Leaders of the Agricultural Sector, Jimenez stressed the importance of implementing long-term public policies to achieve this goal, and at the same time, take advantage of the existence of areas suitable for cultivation.

He considered that a well-structured agricultural policy could transform the Dominican Republic into a food production center for the Caribbean, the United States and Europe.

He referred, in particular, to the need of further protecting agricultural land and regretted that large areas of fertile land with potential are currently used mainly for for housing construction.

According to the former minister, improving rural roads, ensuring adequate access to water, especially in arid areas, and investing in technology could increase the productive capacity of many areas.

Along the same lines, he reiterated the importance of facilitating access to financing so that producers can acquire modern equipment and build agricultural infrastructure, such as storage plants.

He commented that this commitment must involve both the government and the productive sectors and insisted that the key to success is “in the continuity of these policies to ensure the future of the sector.” Last week, agricultural leaders presented a group of ideas aimed at facing food challenges and improving sustainability, such as the creation of an investment fund for food security, managed by the Agricultural Bank, and the strengthening of agricultural insurance that includes medium and small producers.

They also proposed the creation of public-private work groups that would be responsible for developing a plan to address the impacts of climate change on agriculture and livestock, as well as the development of a national plan for training new generations.

ef/ro/mpv