Santo Domingo.– The National Irrigation Technification Directorate (TNR) and the Tobacco Institute of the Dominican Republic (Intabaco) signed an inter-institutional cooperation agreement aimed at modernizing tobacco production through the incorporation of irrigation technologies, training programs, and technical support for producers in the sector.
The agreement was signed by directors Claudio Caamaño Vélez, of the TNR, and Iván Hernández Guzmán, of Intabaco, with the purpose of increasing plantation productivity, optimizing water use, reducing environmental impact, and promoting the sustainable expansion of areas dedicated to tobacco cultivation.
During the activity, Caamaño Vélez highlighted that the alliance will allow for the exhibition of concrete results of coordination between institutions, expand the reach of the TNR in the agricultural sector, and consolidate the modernization of irrigation in a sector with foreign sales exceeding US$1.3 billion annually.
For his part, Iván Hernández stated that the agreement constitutes a demonstration of how efficient water management strengthens the competitiveness of one of the country’s main agricultural export industries, while simultaneously driving the expansion of irrigation modernization toward one of the most profitable and important sectors in the Dominican Republic.
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“I know that this alliance between Intabaco and the TNR will produce tangible results in the short term, which will allow tobacco producers to incorporate high-tech irrigation systems and become examples of success for the sector,” concluded Hernández.
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As part of the commitments undertaken, the TNR will offer specialized technical assistance, training, and advice on the use, installation, operation, and maintenance of technical irrigation systems, in order to improve productive efficiency and strengthen the capabilities of tobacco producers. For its part, Intabaco will disseminate among its associates and producers the opportunities for training, technical assistance, and calls related to irrigation technification, promoting a greater adoption of innovative technologies that guarantee more efficient and sustainable production.
Among the planned actions is the creation of demonstration plots to highlight the economic and productive benefits of irrigation modernization, as well as conducting joint evaluations to measure its impact on the yield and quality of tobacco production.
The TNR and Intabaco will also work on the design of national calls that facilitate producers’ access to financing and bonuses through the Bagri-Riego program, promoted together with the Agricultural Bank. In addition, they will coordinate initiatives to strengthen industrialization, commercialization, and the development of the tobacco value chain. Intabaco, for its part, will disseminate opportunities for training, technical assistance, and access to these programs among its associates.
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The signing ceremony was attended by Ramón Cabrera, Legal Manager; Jorge Soto, Operations Manager; Indhira Pulinario, from the Fund for the Technification of the National Irrigation System (Fotesir); Manuel Mejía, from Planning and Development; and Eriberto Tejada, from Extension and Training, representing the TNR. Meanwhile, representing Intabaco, participants included Tania Canela, from the Legal Department; Isidro Tavárez, Agricultural Director; and Eugenio Martínez, Institutional Coordinator.
