The Secretary of Agriculture, Carlos Flores, said that Puerto Rico might rely on the Dominican Republic's plantain and bananas supply at a time of need.
Flores held a meeting with Angel Estévez, Minister of Agriculture in Quisqueya.
"Of course. They are in the competition, "said the official, adding that he would travel soon to the neighboring country to visit farms and to "advance the importation of plantains, which is one of our current commitments, as we are in the period in which we are still importing."
In these moments of crisis, after hurricane Maria, the bananas are brought from Colombia and Ecuador, and the banana from Costa Rica.
On average, the island imports 25,000 boxes of bananas 20,000 boxes of plantain per week. Banana imports started in November and plantain imports in February.
"We were interested in talking about propagation programs for plantains, bananas and other crops. They have very advanced commercial laboratories that also interest us to benefit the plantings in Puerto Rico," Flores said.
Flores said they were also interested in vegetable production programs in controlled environments.
"Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic have many common conditions, such as their climate, soil quality, geographical location, and language. We have the potential to produce food, and we are looking for ways to cooperate to improve the agriculture in Puerto Rico and in the Dominican Republic," Estevez said.
The Dominican Republic can supply the Island and Puerto Rico can take its products to the Dominican Republic and standardize sanitary aspects, genetic improvement, health and technology, he added.
"We are the only ones who can grow these crops in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico can work together to supply the world with products from the Caribbean. I believe we can work to grow and allocate our productions for local consumption and for export (to the United States and Europe). That is our goal," said Flores.
Source: primerahora.com