Permanent representative of the Dominican Republic to the Rome-based UN agencies and the chairperson of the Committee on World Food Security, ambassador Mario Arvelo highlighted the importance of President Danilo Medina’s visit to Rome to participate in the 42nd International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Governors Council on 14-15 February 2019. Arvelo highlighted the significance of the participation given the rural sustainable development program, “Surprise Visits” enacted by President Medina since his first administration began in 2012.
President Danilo Medina will be one of the keynote speakers at the IFAD meeting. Pope Francisco will also be speaking at the meeting that is to be held at the seat of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome.
Arvelo explained that the president of the IFAD, Gilbert F. Houngbo is receiving Medina to recognize the particularly important role the Dominican government Surprise Visits Program has represented for sustainable rural development in the Dominican Republic. IFAD sees the program as a model to replicate in the rest of the world. President Medina is scheduled to speak to the plenary of governors of the more than 190 countries that make up the organization.
“In this way, the President will reaffirm the country’s commitment to the objectives of the institution that seeks to promote the development of women in farming,” said Arvelo. He also highlighted that IFAD provides financial resources and technical cooperation to promote sustainable rural development.
In Rome, Antonio Vargas, national authorizing officer for the European Development Fund, said that President Medina is the only president who faithfully applies the mission of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) that is to facilitate that people in poor rural zones can increase their income to improve their food security. He said this has been at the forefront of the 237 Surprise Visits President Medina has been carrying out during the past six years. “The numbers tell for themselves,” said the Dominican government officer. He said as the result of the program, more than 1,800 productive projects and community development projects have been financed by the RD$39.4 billion in government funds. He said that 85% of farm produce consumed in the country is produced in the country.
The council will be an opportunity to share the Dominican Surprise Visit program that turns small and medium-sized producers into agri-businessmen.
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Presidencia
Presidencia
14 February 2019
