President Hipolito Mejia announced it is backing a RD$7,000 million "Programa Especial de Desarrollo de la Fruticultura Dominicana". The project contemplates the planting of tamarind, avocado, mango, tangerine, grapefruit, cashew, sour sop, limes, papaya and zapote trees throughout the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Government will contribute a counterpart of US$100 million, while international sources will provide US$300 million. The program was prepared in collaboration with the Instituto Interamericano de Cooperacion para la Agricultura (IICA). It calls for the planting of 2.5 million tareas and seeks to benefit 100,000 producers. It contemplates the planting of 40 million plants of 20 species. It seeks to reduce migration of rural area inhabitants to cities by creating new jobs. It also seeks to create production for export to the Caribbean.
