The Ministry of Agriculture and the Sur Futuro Foundation have inked a RD$40 million agreement for the production of tree seedlings to be planted in the highlands of the southwest of the country. The agreement, signed by Minister Osmar Benítez and Sur Futuro’s Melba Segura de Grullón, is aimed at promoting sustainable food production through the planting of coffee and avocado trees.
Benítez, for years the head of the Agro-Business Board (JAD), told El Caribe reporters that the goal is to plant some 750,000 tareas (about 50,000 hectares) included in the project, at a cost of RD$10 billion. He said that 436,000 tareas were planted with coffee, avocados and hardwoods, which are to the benefit of more than 9,000 families in the areas. He noted that 150,000 tareas of coffee and 50,000 tareas of the Hass variety of avocados were planted. The project started in five provinces and because of its impact, it will expand into the Cibao Valley and the Northwest Line (Mao, Santiago Rodríguez, Dajabón and Montecristi).
Benítez explained that the government is investing about RD$5,000 per month on each family until the different crops come into harvest. At that moment, they expect that some RD$25 billion will be produced.
The Ministry is in charge of certifying the seeds used in the nurseries run by Sur Futuro.
For her part, Melba Segura told reporters that Sur Futuro was very pleased with the renewal of the agreement.
Most of the varieties of avocado to be planted are aimed at the export markets of the United States and Europe.
As reported, Sur Futuro is charged with the production of some 2,400,000 seedlings of coffee and avocado. These trees will be planted in the watersheds of the country and are said to contribute to reducing the impact of improper land use over decades. The Ministry is promoting these as a way to “preserve the watersheds around the country.” Nevertheless, there is a significant controversy over the planting of Hass variety avocado trees. Moreso, the Medina administration has allowed the cultivation of avocado plantations in National Park areas. In the Dominican Republic, Grupo Jaragua has taken the lead to protest the action as in violation of Dominican law.
Globally, there is evidence that avocado growth is bad for the environment because the single crop depletes the soil and has intense water consumption requirements. Environmentalists explain that it leaves soils more vulnerable to diseases and requires intense use of pesticides that contaminate the soil and surrounding water sources. The avocado trees need sunlight to flourish better and shrubs and old trees are taken down to provide for the plantations, contributing to deforestation and to global warming and climate change.
Read more:
Ministry of Agriculture
El Caribe
El Caribe
E-CSR
Diario Libre
MyRecipes
The Independent
26 August 2019