Florence Van Houtte, responsible for the European Union's cooperation, considered that, despite its great potential, the Dominican Republic banana sector is facing major challenges in terms of technology implementation, competitiveness and quality improvement.
She explained that the removal of the tariff on bananas in the Euro zone is a measure that entails the need to reduce production costs so that the country can offer competitive prices. According to Van Houtte, this will only be achieved by increasing the quality and productivity per planted hectare.
The representative of the EU considered that it was necessary for the country to start reducing costs so that they could start selling at the same prices as Latin America. She also suggested improving the packaging infrastructure and the use of inputs because, as she noted, Europe rejects many Dominican products, mainly vegetables, as they have an excess of pesticides. In this regard, she reported, the agency would soon be starting a project in the country aimed at supporting health management.
The project
As part of the Accompanying Measures for the Banana in the Dominican Republic project, financed by the EU, farmers will receive training and technical assistance. In this phase of the project, farmers will be taught how to increase productivity, reduce the use of agrochemicals and increase exports.
This part of the project will be implemented by the Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD) and will involve experts from the Higher Institute of Agriculture, the International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health (Oirsa) and other entities linked to the agricultural sector. The workshops will be held on the premises of the Dominican Association of Banana Producers (Adobanano).
"The technology is known, but it must be applied. I think that this project will contribute in this sense, because part of it is a research that will help adapt technologies that are not being used here yet," said Van Houtte.
Source: listindiario.com.do