República Dominicana mejora la sanidad animal y vegetal

Over the next five years, the program will strengthen food safety by reducing residues and contaminants in agricultural products. The program will benefit 3,750 farmers and 200 livestock producers through training in good agricultural practices.In addition, the number of packing plants registered with the Department of Food Safety is expected to increase from 10 to 120.

Measures to improve animal health services will be carried out at the national level, starting with pilot projects in the provinces of Puerto Plata, Espaillat and Maria Trinidad Sanchez.

Initiatives for strengthening plant health services will include better and wider dissemination of the ministry’s programs to more than one million consumers. Additional support will be provided to strengthen institutions with the aim of integrating health and safety services at the national level.

About one-third of Dominicans live in rural areas, where poverty levels reach 56 percent of the population.The agricultural sector generates about 8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and 15 percent of national employment. Agricultural exports account for 30 percent of the total value of its exports.

The IDB loan is for 25 years, with a 3-year grace period and a LIBOR-based interest rate.