Dominican Government Expands Fertiliser Subsidies to Protect Food Security

• The Dominican government has extended its fertiliser subsidy programme through new agreements with companies that import agricultural inputs and raw materials, allocating more than RD$1.09Bn to help stabilise production costs and protect food prices through August 31.
• The agreements were signed at the Ministry of Agriculture by Minister Francisco Oliverio Espaillat and representatives of large and small importing companies. With the latest allocation, total government support for fertiliser subsidies now reaches RD$2.151Bn, reinforcing efforts to support farmers amid global economic uncertainty.
• According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the initiative helps maintain affordable fertiliser prices, strengthen food security, and prevent significant increases in the cost of the basic food basket.
• The agreements establish cooperation between the government and the private sector to guarantee a steady supply of fertiliser raw materials, prevent shortages, and ensure input availability during peak agricultural seasons. One agreement involves major importers responsible for meeting national demand, while the second includes 11 smaller importers to broaden market participation and support wider access to agricultural inputs.
• Authorities and industry representatives highlighted the programme’s role in sustaining agricultural production, preserving price stability, supporting the long-term competitiveness of the Dominican agricultural sector, and helping keep food affordable for consumers.

(Source: Dominican Today)