By Manuel García
Dajabón.– Representatives of the Irrigation Board reported this Thursday the difficulties they claim to face in carrying out agricultural work due to the operations carried out by the General Directorate of Migration (DGM). During a meeting with the press, the president of the entity, Junior Bernard, assured that the situation is significantly affecting rice production in the province.
Bernard explained that producers receive Haitian workers through a procedure established in the border wall zone, where, as he indicated, they are handed over with the corresponding permits and registrations. However, he maintained that subsequently, Migration agents intercept those workers during the journey to the farms or even within the agricultural properties, which prevents the work from being carried out.
The leader stated that Haitian labor is fundamental for the planting, harvesting, and management of rice production, due to the shortage of Dominican workers willing to perform those tasks. He assured that this situation has generated considerable economic losses, as numerous producers have not been able to complete their workdays.
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Likewise, the members of the Irrigation Board pointed out that they do not oppose migration regularization processes, but requested that these be carried out taking into account the reality of the agricultural sector. In that sense, they proposed the creation of a dialogue table between producers and the competent authorities to seek a solution that guarantees both compliance with the law and the continuity of production.
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Finally, the producers called on the General Directorate of Migration and the other institutions involved to establish coordination mechanisms to avoid affecting field work. They indicated that they expect a response that allows for resolving the situation through dialogue and preserving the stability of the agricultural sector in Dajabón.
