Dominican Republic Unveils Major Investment for Pork Sector Biosecurity

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic's Agricultural Bank (Bagrícola) has launched a financing program exceeding 600 million Dominican pesos to transform the nation's pork sector, aiming to significantly improve biosecurity, sustainability, and competitiveness for small and medium-sized producers.

This substantial investment directly addresses the lingering effects of African Swine Fever (ASF) by bolstering farm infrastructure and equipment. The goal is to elevate biosecurity standards, mitigate risks, and foster a more resilient pork production system across the country.

The initiative stems from a cooperative agreement involving the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Bagrícola, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture.

APHIS is contributing 50% of the funds for the program, known as the Investment Fund for Swine Biosecurity in the Dominican Republic, through a non-reimbursable grant. Bagrícola provides the remaining 50% from its own resources, structured as loans to farmers.

The program's unveiling took place at an event led by Minister of Agriculture Limber Cruz and Bagrícola Administrator Fernando Durán. "We are committed to transforming the pork sector with a vision of health, sustainability, and competitiveness," Durán stated during his address.

He further elaborated that the program will enable producers to modernize their farms, enhance biosecurity measures, and boost productivity, provided they adhere to standardized protocols.

Durán clarified the funding model: for a project costing one million pesos, Bagrícola extends a 500,000 peso loan, while the other 500,000 pesos are provided as a donation from the fund.

Llisel Quezada, Bagrícola's Business Director, offered additional details regarding the program's implementation.

Farmers accessing these funds will be required to invest in improvements such as perimeter fencing, advanced cleaning and pressure systems, proper waste and wastewater management, and controlled access to their facilities, among other biosecurity enhancements.

The launch event also saw the attendance of various ministers, vice ministers, and departmental directors from national agricultural sector institutions, including Bagrícola Sub-Administrator Eddy Montás Guerrero.