Speaking at the annual meeting of the Junta Agroempresarial Dominicana held this year in Barahona, Osmar Benítez the executive vice president of the organization spoke of challenges ahead for farmers and agribusiness in the DR. He said that at present, production is at RD$3,500 million a year to supply the Dominican population and additional two million tourists. He said that Dominicans have ahead the challenge to produce for nine million tourists by year 2010, or crops for RD$17 million. Benítez highlighted the increasing world market demands for organic farm produce, urging Dominican farmers to get on this bandwagon. He said demand is at more than US$10,000 million, with Europe alone demanding US$4,650 million in organic produce. The Vice President of the JAD said there are many opportunities in tropical agriculture, producing exotic tropical fruits and vegetables that are sought by tourists and international markets.
