During his recent visit to the southwest, President Danilo Medina promised growers in Vallejuelo money to stimulate onion cultivation and to buy seeds. However, so far there is no sign of the money and over 300 men and women gathered at the regional government office where armed guards were called in to prevent people from entering. Local governor Williams de Oleo and Jose Nova, Director of the Regional South Western Agricultural Society, have acknowledged that the country has no onion seeds and asked the government to act to save the industry.
Addressing the protesters, Williams de Oleo said, “We recognize the despair of Vallejuelo growers, and acknowledge their right to be heard in this matter. The government has in fact purchased onion seeds abroad, but due to unforeseen circumstances it has not yet been able to deliver.” Both De Oleo and Nova asked the farmers for patience and insisted help was on the way.
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