The Dominican government has officially launched construction of a landmark agroecological development project, the “Saving the Mountains” Avocado Agroecological Park, located in the southern province of San Cristóbal. Funded by the Special Fund for Agricultural Development (FEDA), the initiative carries a total investment of nearly 194 million Dominican pesos, marking one of the country’s most significant recent investments in integrated sustainable agriculture and tourism.
Championed by incumbent President Luis Abinader, the project leverages the Dominican Republic’s standing as the world’s second-largest avocado producer, a position that has long formed a core pillar of the nation’s agricultural export economy. Unlike traditional single-purpose agricultural sites, this new park is designed as a multifaceted hub that brings three distinct goals together: commercial avocado production, targeted environmental conservation, and expanding regional agritourism offerings.
Project planners expect the development to strengthen every link in the country’s avocado value chain, from on-farm production and research to processing and distribution. It will also create dedicated space for advancing agricultural research focused on climate-resilient avocado farming and agroecological practices. For the local tourism sector, the park is projected to draw both domestic and international eco-conscious visitors, helping to reposition San Cristóbal as a top destination for sustainable travel in the Caribbean. Ultimately, the initiative’s core mission is to stimulate inclusive local economic growth and set a regional benchmark for balanced, long-term sustainable development that benefits both local communities and the natural environment.