NewsWhore
11-10-2010, 02:20 PM
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has announced the approval of a US$30 million loan for a program that provides subsidies to smallholder farmers to adopt farming technologies that will boost their productivity and income. One third of the Dominican population, about three million people, still lives in rural areas, where poverty levels reach 56%.
Agriculture is a key sector for the Dominican Republic's economic and social development. The vast majority of Dominican rural producers are smallholders, owning less than 6.3 hectares (15 acres) of land.
Under the system farmers can choose the technologies best suited to their individual circumstances. The program, which is expected to benefit at least 9,400 farmers, also has a gender component targeting female heads of households.
In addition, the Dominican government and the IDB are preparing another program to bolster animal and plant health services and food safety measures. Another IDB-financed program is helping the Dominican Republic modernize its property registration system, contributing to land tenure security.
The IDB loan is for 25 years, with a five-year grace period and a variable interest rate based on LIBOR. The Dominican government will contribute $4.3 million to the program, which will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)
Agriculture is a key sector for the Dominican Republic's economic and social development. The vast majority of Dominican rural producers are smallholders, owning less than 6.3 hectares (15 acres) of land.
Under the system farmers can choose the technologies best suited to their individual circumstances. The program, which is expected to benefit at least 9,400 farmers, also has a gender component targeting female heads of households.
In addition, the Dominican government and the IDB are preparing another program to bolster animal and plant health services and food safety measures. Another IDB-financed program is helping the Dominican Republic modernize its property registration system, contributing to land tenure security.
The IDB loan is for 25 years, with a five-year grace period and a variable interest rate based on LIBOR. The Dominican government will contribute $4.3 million to the program, which will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)