Agriculture Minister Osmar Benitez announced in Montecristi that the government would make every effort to assist the farmers of the drought-stricken Northwest. Cattlemen and farmers have suffered extended dry spells before, but his one seems to have hit harder.
Over 20,000 quintals of feed have been distributed, 10,000 temporary silos made available, 25 truckloads of batata fans (what is left after harvesting), and 20,000 gallons of molasses have also been dispersed as part of this effort. Benitez says that his teams have built over 100 lagoons to store rainwater, and they are drilling wells as fast as they can. Some 140 water trucks are being used for the distribution of water to animals and families.
The minister spent two days last week in the area, listening to the concerns of various agricultural groups.
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El Caribe
25 February 2019