National Irrigation Technicalization highlights advances in agricultural modernization during conference

Santo Domingo.- Four experts from the academic, agribusiness, and international cooperation sectors deeply analyzed the achievements, goals, and challenges of technified irrigation in the Dominican Republic, within the framework of the fifth anniversary of the Executive Directorate of National Irrigation Technification (TNR), with the aim of evaluating the advances, challenges, and perspectives of the modernization of irrigation in the country. The conference featured presentations by Osmar Benítez, president of the Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD); Gabriela Quiroga Gilardoni, representative of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in the Dominican Republic; Silvio Carrasco, director of the Water Unit of PUCMM, and Danilo Cruz, secretary of the Dominican Association of Agricultural Technology Suppliers (Adoproteca), who agreed that the technification of irrigation constitutes a strategic axis to guarantee agricultural sustainability and face the challenges of climate change in the country. Manuel Mejia, head of Planning and Development at TNR, highlighted the main advances achieved during the last five years, a period in which the institution has promoted initiatives aimed at modernizing the irrigation system and promoting a more efficient use of water in national agricultural production. Priority was given to the implementation and expansion of technologies such as drip irrigation,  micro-sprinkling and photovoltaic pumping, systems that have allowed to optimize the use of water resources and improve productivity in various areas of the country, in addition, the institution has trained more than 7,500 producers in the last five years.

Claudio Caamaño Vélez, director of TNR, highlighted that, through the Fund for the Promotion of the Technification of the National Irrigation System (Fotesir), 14 calls have been made throughout the country, providing non-refundable incentives that have reduced production costs and improved water efficiency.  Likewise, he emphasized the Bagri-Riego program, developed together with the Agricultural Bank (Bagrícola), focused on facilitating technification through financing with accessible rates.

From his side, Fernando Durán, administrator of Bagrícola, reiterated the commitment of the institution he leads to agricultural development and highlighted that the alliance between TNR and Banco Agrícola is a step forward.

National Photovoltaic Call

Within the framework of the panel-conference held, the TNR and the Agricultural Bank announced the opening of a national photovoltaic call, for RD 30 million, aimed at promoting the efficient use of solar energy in the agricultural sector. It is aimed at photovoltaic projects whose installation capacity does not exceed 60 kilowatts and will be open until July 13. For more information, www.riego.gob.do.

In the activity were present, Julio Augusto Ferreira Taveras, academic vice-rector of PUCMM; David Herrera Díaz, executive director of the Price Stabilization Institute (Inespre); Hecmilio Galván, head of the Special Fund for Agricultural Development (FEDA); Kohuris Henríquez Disla, general director of Agricultural Risks (Digera); the ambassador of the State of Israel, Raslan Abu Rukun; from China, Chen Luning; Alejandro Pérez Díaz, head of chancery of the embassy of the Republic of Chile, and Neysser Reyes Tijerino, head of mission of the embassy of Nicaragua.