The European Union has donated 12.5 million euros (US$16.9 million) to the Dominican Republic’s banana industry with the aim of increasing competitiveness and improving workers’ living conditions. <\/p>\n
Just under half of the money will be used for institutional strengthening while the rest will be put in a fund to aid growers. Technical assistance will also be provided as part of the support package.<\/p>\n
The government has also pledged an additional RD$440 million (US$10.1 million) through the Banco de Reservas to improve productive capacity and stimulate exports.<\/p>\n
It will also contribute technological support and advice on the environment and climate change, along with targeted training for growers and technical institutions. <\/p>\n
The program, which will benefit more than 20,000 producers, aims to increase exports by 10%, increase labor by 20%, and reduce chemical use by 50%.<\/p>\n
The support is part of the EU’s Bananas Accompanying Measures (BAM) program that benefits industries in certain African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.<\/p>\n
The agreement was signed in the Dominican Republic by the Agriculture Minister, Angel Estevez, Environment Minister Bautista Rojas Gomez, and the Deputy Minister for Economic Planning and Development, Juan Reyes.<\/p>\n
The banana industry provides some 28,000 jobs directly, and an extra 54,000 in seasonal work.<\/p>\n
More than 347 metric tons of the fruit were exported in 2013, generating around US$164 million in foreign exchange and making the crop one of the country’s leading agricultural exports.<\/p>\n
For more on the topic:<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.freshfruitportal.com\/2014\/06\/18\/eu-gives-strong-financial-support-dominican-republic-banana-industry\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The European Union has donated 12.5 million euros (US$16.9 million) to the Dominican Republic’s banana industry with the aim of increasing competitiveness and improving workers’ living conditions. Just under half of the money will be used for institutional strengthening while the rest will be put in a fund to aid growers. Technical assistance will also … <\/p>\n