DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Agricultural producers in the Constanza Valley are reporting a severe economic crisis characterized by skyrocketing production costs and a collapse in market prices. Local farmers warn that heavy rains, soil saturation and a lack of direct government support has pushed the region’s agricultural sector to the brink of disappearance.

Another grievance among producers is the distribution of state aid. Farmers allege that government subsidies intended to alleviate the burden of high costs are benefiting the sellers of farm inputs but are failing to reach the actual farmers.

Manuel Ortiz, a local producer, stated that while production costs for staples such as potatoes, carrots, garlic, celery, and cabbage have soared, the financial relief has been misdirected. “The government gave subsidies to the owners of agrochemical companies, not to us,” Ortiz claimed. “We are the ones...