The National Irrigation Technicalization Executive Directorate (TNR) and the Agricultural Bank (Bagrícola) announced an investment of RD$10,125,000.00, aimed at modernizing the irrigation systems of agricultural producers in the municipalities of Tamayo and Vicente Noble, in the provinces of Bahoruco and Barahona respectively. The initiative, channeled through the Irrigation System Modernization Promotion Fund (FOTESIR), will grant a non-refundable bonus of up to 50% to small projects that are selected. The program seeks to improve water use efficiency, increase agricultural productivity, and reduce the environmental impact of agricultural activities. This effort is part of the Bagri-Riego program, jointly developed by the TNR and Bagrícola, and is part of the public policy aimed at technifying the Dominican countryside, strengthening the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, and guaranteeing higher levels of food security. The reception of proposals will be open until Monday, May 4, at 4:00 p.m. In that sense, Claudio Caamaño Vélez, executive director of the TNR, explained that, to address the challenges related to the efficient management of water and productive practices in Tamayo and Vicente Noble, the institution promotes public competitions aimed at granting non-refundable incentives to projects that meet the technical and legal requirements established by FOTESIR. In an event held at the Casa de la Cultura in Tamayo, Caamaño indicated that the priorities include improving irrigation and storage infrastructure, promoting efficient technologies, sustainably managing aquifers, strengthening irrigators, and promoting agricultural diversification and resilience, in order to ensure sustainable production, greater competitiveness, and protection of rural livelihoods. He added that the previous calls, together with the Bagri-Riego program, have made it possible to reduce the installation costs of irrigation systems by more than half and to speed up the execution times for the beneficiary producers. Meanwhile, Wellington Castillo, regional director 02 of Bagrícola, reiterated the financial institution’s support for the irrigation technology program being developed in the aforementioned regions. In this regard, he urged producers to approach the bank’s local offices and take advantage of the financing facilities at low interest rates and with payment conditions adapted to the different agricultural sectors. During the launch of the call, the governor of Bahoruco, María Esther Díaz, participated; from the Agricultural Bank José López Mercedes, manager of the Barahona office and Celida Pérez, sub-manager of the Tamayo office. In addition, Juanito Montilla, representatives of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI); Indhira Pulinario, in charge of FOTESIR; Luis Payero, in charge of the Southern Regional of TNR and Miguel Ángel Nova, president of the Tamayo Irrigation Board. Also present were Juan Gilberto Díaz, representative of the Consorcio Azucarero Central, Barahona sugar mill; Ángel Peña Félix, Southern regional director of the Ministry of Agriculture; Steven Baldera, general coordinator of projects; and Wellington Castillo, regional director 02 of Bagrícola. Calls made There have been 10 calls for applications for Fotesir, five last year and another five so far this year. Currently, the Nacional remains open until April 20; North region, until March 23; Vallejuelo, until March 19; and Palenque-Nizao, until April 6.
Contest Rules
