The Government's support to avocado producers of the Dominican Republic has generated a substantial increase in exports of fruit to international markets, with a volume of 20,000 metric tons per year, and a foreign exchange contribution that exceeds 30 million dollars.
A report from the Department of Fruit of the Ministry of Agriculture indicates that the Dominican Republic has a stable production of avocado with a tendency to increase since, in 2012, 1,000 containers of 35 thousand units each were exported while, this year, more than 800 containers have already been exported.
Avocado crops have great social importance: more than 15,000 families depend on this activity directly and more than 40,000 indirectly.
The average production per year is 250 thousand metric tons of avocado, close to 20 percent of which is exported, especially the Semil-34, Jass, Carla and Pollock varieties.
So far, during President Danilo Medina's and Minister Luis Ramon Rodriguez' term, support for avocado growers has doubled, compared to previous administrations.
The support of the Ministry of Agriculture to avocado growers consists of the delivery of supplies, training, certification of good agricultural practices, market management and the repair and maintenance of roads.
Furthermore, the Special Fund for Agricultural Development (FEDA), through the Agricultural Bank, has funded avocado growers from Cambita, Garabito, in San Cristóbal, with 90 million pesos.
The largest fruit production areas are located in San José de Ocoa, Cambita, in San Cristobal; Villa Trina, in Espaillat; Altamira and Mamey, of Puerto Plata; Amina, in Valverde; The Calimetes, in Elías Piña; Padre Las Casas, in Azua; Los Arroyos, in Pedernales; in Peravia, and in Neyba.
Source: Diariolibre