The Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD) and the International Cooperation Agency for Agricultural Development (Acodea) of Spain yesterday signed an agreement with the purpose of strengthening the producer cooperatives of the Dominican Republic.
After the agreement general rural development is sought at the local level, as well as the joint formulation of project proposals focused on the institutional strengthening of these associations.
Both institutions committed to contribute their experiences, knowledge and technical staff for carrying out activities.
Acodea promised to offer consultancy, training, and tours to exchange experiences with experts from Spain and other countries.
The executive president of the JAD, Osmar Benítez, said that as an institution they have the task of identifying where they can get assistance to bring resources to local farmers.
“With this alliance we are going to make a very focused program, to focus for strengthen agricultural cooperative systems and work with them on governance, administration, development programs and institutional vision”said Benítez, at a press conference at the JAD.
Likewise, Manuel Nogales, general director of the Acodea foundation, reported that they will offer the tools for farmers to develop the rural environment where they live. “For us, cooperativism is the ideal business model for rural areas,” he said.