AZUA, Dominican Republic – In a significant push to revitalize highland agriculture, the Special Fund for Agricultural Development (FEDA) has distributed 120,000 coffee seedlings and essential farming equipment to producers across mountainous communities in Azua and San Juan de la Maguana provinces. The initiative, executed during the 8th Compostela Route program, represents a strategic investment in sustainable mountain development.
Executive Director Hecmilio Galván emphasized the critical need to reclaim the nation’s mountain identity, revealing that approximately 70% of Dominican territory consists of highland areas despite most citizens residing in lowland regions. This geographical disparity underscores the importance of FEDA’s ‘Saving the Mountains’ Agroecological Production Promotion Program, designed to empower farmers through sustainable practices and economic reinforcement.
The Technical Unit for the Execution of Agroforestry Development Projects of the Presidency (Utepda) contributed the coffee plants, enhancing inter-institutional collaboration for agricultural advancement. Beneficiary communities span the Central Mountain Range, including Padre Las Casas, Monte Bonito, Las Lagunas, Bohechío, Los Guayuyos, La Siembra, San José de la Cueva, Arroyo Cano, Los Fríos, and El Yaque.
Galván reaffirmed FEDA’s unwavering commitment to preserving southern mountain communities, stating that environmental sustainability in these regions is intrinsically linked to national economic growth and public wellbeing. The program aims to create a sustainable agricultural model that balances ecological conservation with productive farming, ultimately strengthening rural economies and ensuring food security.