FENARROZ supports Government measures to protect national rice production
The National Federation of Rice Producers (FENARROZ) expressed its absolute support for the recent decisions adopted by President Luis Abinader following the repeal of Decree 693-24. The entity, represented by its president Marcos Rodríguez and its secretary Juan Pablo Pérez, expressed its total confidence in the new government plans aimed at strengthening the rice sector in the Dominican Republic.
From their headquarters in San Francisco de Macorís, the executives emphasized that rice transcends its category as an agricultural product, consolidating itself as a fundamental pillar for food security, social stability, and the country’s economic development. The production of this cereal is the main engine for thousands of families distributed across 96 municipalities in 21 Dominican provinces.
Following the uncertainty generated in the rice sector by the repeal of Decree 693-24, the National Federation of Rice Producers expresses its support for the Government in this new stage of negotiations between the Dominican Republic and the United States, trusting that the defense of the national interest and our production will prevail.
FENARROZ
A constantly evolving sector
FENARROZ highlighted that, since the implementation of DR-CAFTA, the sector has made significant efforts in modernization, highlighting advances in:
- Investments in infrastructure and agricultural mechanization.
- Implementation of new technologies and research into varieties.
- Substantial improvement in grain productivity and quality.
- Maintenance of affordable prices for the final consumer.
However, the organization pointed out the marked disparity between the productive capacity of local farmers and the industrial scale of the United States. Therefore, they urged that trade negotiations prioritize the ability of Dominican producers to continue supplying national demand.
Socioeconomic impact and food security
FENARROZ representatives warned that rice supports a vast value chain that includes transporters, merchants, agribusinesses, and technicians. A weakening in this sector could trigger negative chain effects, such as the migration of land to other crops, which would result in overproduction and a destabilization of agricultural prices nationwide.
The entity emphasized that food security should not be measured exclusively by the momentary price of products in the market, but by the sovereign capacity to produce the essential foods that the population consumes. Finally, the directors reiterated their willingness to work together with the State to find solutions that protect social stability and the economy of the Dominican Republic.
