DR seeks US$93.7 million investment to modernize banana production

The Dominican Republic presented its Banana Investment Note during the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum 2025, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome.

The event brings together governments, international financial institutions, investors, and representatives from the private sector with the aim of promoting sustainable investments that transform agri-food systems and strengthen rural development globally.

The presentation of the proposal was led by the Minister of Agriculture, Limber Cruz, and the Vice Minister of Promotion of the Agroindustry of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Mipymes, Joaquín González, who highlighted that the initiative seeks to promote the transformation of the banana sector towards a technified, competitive and sustainable model.

The Banana Investment Note proposes to mobilize US$93.7 million in strategic investments aimed at productive modernization, the development of agricultural and agro-industrial infrastructure, technological innovation, and strengthening resilience to climate change.

The project seeks to consolidate the Dominican Republic as a regional leader in the production of organic and Fair Trade bananas, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, efficient water use, the reduction of environmental impact, and the adoption of clean technologies to improve the competitiveness of the sector.

Economic and social impact

It is estimated that more than 1,800 producers and 33,000 people will benefit directly from the strengthening of the banana value chain, from production to export. The initiative will promote decent employment, improve the income of producers, boost rural innovation and contribute to the country’s food and nutritional security.

During the forum, the Dominican delegation held bilateral meetings with financial institutions, international agencies, and representatives of the private sector interested in participating in agro-industrial development, especially in strengthening the banana sector.

Commitment to agri-food transformation

The Dominican Republic is one of the prioritized countries within FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, a global platform that promotes cooperation between the public and private sectors to accelerate sustainable agricultural growth and advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During the forum, the Dominican delegation has held an intense agenda of bilateral meetings with financial institutions, international agencies, and representatives of the private sector interested in participating in agro-industrial development, especially in strengthening the banana sector.

The Dominican Republic’s participation in the Forum reaffirms the country’s and FAO’s commitment to transforming agri-food systems towards more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient models that promote economic and social development in rural areas.