The Ministry of Agriculture and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have signed an amendment to their existing technical cooperation agreement, extending the scope of the National Agricultural Mechanization Program (Pronamec). The initiative is designed to accelerate the adoption of modern farming technologies across the Dominican Republic.
The agreement seeks to reduce agricultural production costs while improving the reliability of the country’s food supply. By expanding access to advanced machinery and precision agriculture technologies, authorities aim to help local farmers increase efficiency and better meet domestic market demand.
Technology at the Center of Agricultural Modernization
The newly signed Addendum No. 02 extends the Ministry’s cooperation framework with IICA, allowing additional technical assistance, financial resources, and international expertise to support the modernization of farming practices nationwide.
Officials said the expanded program will promote wider adoption of agricultural machinery alongside precision farming tools that enable producers to optimize the use of land, water, and other inputs. The strategy also includes training programs for equipment operators and agricultural technicians to ensure the technology is effectively implemented.
Coordinated from Santo Domingo, the initiative will focus on improving public agricultural services and ensuring that both independent farmers and technical personnel across the country have greater access to modern production methods.
Supporting Competitiveness and Food Production
Agriculture Minister Francisco Oliverio Espaillat said the agreement aligns with the rural development policies promoted by the administration of President Luis Abinader. According to the minister, expanding mechanization will help overcome structural limitations in traditional farming while strengthening the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
The ministry expects the program to contribute to higher crop yields, more efficient resource management, and greater resilience as producers respond to changing market conditions and climate-related challenges.
IICA Highlights Regional Leadership
Gabriela Quiroga Gilardoni, IICA’s representative in the Dominican Republic, said the country’s recent efforts to modernize its agricultural sector have strengthened its position as a regional reference for innovation and productivity. She noted that the Dominican experience is increasingly serving as a model for other countries seeking to modernize their farming systems through technical cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Authorities said implementation of the expanded cooperation agenda will begin immediately, with projects focused on extending mechanization services, transferring technical knowledge, and delivering measurable improvements in agricultural productivity and long-term food security.