President Danilo Medina was in the mountain province of Constanza at an activity where he expressed support for avocado producers. Medina spoke of his support for a 4,500-tarea farm (1 tarea = 629 square meters) in the high-level mountainous area of the Constanza valley. The government says the farming of Haas variety avocados will benefit the people of Los Corralitos, La Descubierta, Los Cayetanos, Tireo, El Gramaso, Rio Grande, Los Bermúdez, Limoncito, El Sillón, El Chorro, Jaquecillo, El Arenaso, La Cienega and Los Peinados.
The Dominican government is opening a new market for avocados in China, according to recent statements by the Chinese ambassador Xhang Run.
Environment Minister Angel Estevez is the strong ally for avocado farms. He has gone public questioning how could a tree be harmful to the environment.
Environmentalists say that a large amount of water needed to produce a single avocado make the farm produce damaging in areas where rivers get their start, such as in the mountains. An estimated 70-320 liters of water are required to grow one avocado, compared to 50-100 liters a day to meet basic human needs.
Avocado farms have also damaged the natural water cycle and endemic species in their areas. In Mexico and Chile, the avocado farms have raised red flags. A 2012 Mexican study -commissioned by the government- states that increased avocado production has contributed to a loss in diversity as well as environmental pollution and soil erosion. In Chile, the media has reported how avocado farms have left many villages without clean water access.
A brother of President Medina is a major producer with a large farm in the Sierra de Bahoruco protected area, where the law prohibits farming.
Follow the story:
Presidencia
Chileans against avocado farming
Nuria Piera on avocado farming in protected areas
How much water to make an avocado?
Fresh Plaza
Fresh Plaza
7 May 2019