Santo Domingo.- The Executive Directorate of National Irrigation Technification (TNR) received a visit from the newly appointed Israeli ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Oren Bar El, during a meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and promoting the exchange of knowledge on efficient water management, irrigation technification, and agricultural development.
During the day, the director of the TNR, Claudio Caamaño Vélez, presented to the diplomat the main advances and actions that are part of the transformation process of the national irrigation system. Oren Bar El learned about the programs and projects that the institution is developing to modernize irrigation systems, optimize the use of water resources, and increase agricultural productivity.
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The meeting was attended by the main Dominican authorities linked to the agricultural sector and the management of natural and water resources, such as Olmedo Caba, director of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI); Davis Aracena, Vice Minister of Soils and Water of the Ministry of Environment; Rosa Almonte, Director of Water; Gilberto Reynoso, Director of the Water Cabinet; Osmar Benítez, President of the Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD); Luis Sánchez Falette, President of the National Council for the Regulation and Promotion of the Dairy Industry (Conaleche); and Luis Pérez Cuevas, advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Meanwhile, the Israeli ambassador was accompanied by water resources expert Emilia Kuschnir, with whom they exchanged experiences on technologies and strategies for sustainable water management in agriculture, within the framework of efforts to promote solutions that allow for more efficient use of this resource.
As part of the visit’s activities, Emilia Kuschnir gave a specialized lecture on the efficient use of water in agricultural production systems. The agronomist shared knowledge and experiences related to strategies and technologies aimed at optimizing the use of water resources and promoting sustainable practices.
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He stated that water efficiency constitutes one of the main tools to guarantee the sustainability and competitiveness of Dominican agriculture, in addition to contributing to the preservation of national water resources.
During the conference addressed to TNR collaborators, Kuschnir explained that the greatest potential for increasing water availability does not depend exclusively on building new infrastructure, but also on reducing the losses that currently occur within irrigation systems. He pointed out that about 82% of the water used in the Dominican Republic is destined for agriculture, so improving its management would allow for greater volumes to be available for other strategic uses and better cope with periods of drought.
«We often think that the solution is to have more water, when in reality the challenge consists of using better the water we already have. Water efficiency not only means savings, but also a reduction in production risk,» the expert expressed, while highlighting the importance of managing the available resource more efficiently.
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Kuschnir explained that a significant part of water waste originates from losses in conduction channels, inadequate application practices, and irrigation scheduling that does not consider factors such as climate, soil type, and crop development stage. In that sense, he highlighted the importance of incorporating planning and technical criteria in water management.
Finally, he highlighted the advantages of technical irrigation systems, especially drip irrigation, whose efficiency can exceed 90%, by allowing a greater proportion of the applied water to reach the plant roots directly. He clarified that technicalization does not necessarily imply completely replacing existing systems, but rather optimizing their operation through better planning, land leveling, and training producers in the proper management of water resources.
