Fish pond. (Photo: ADOA)

Public-private commitment to boost aquaculture production

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Monday, August 13, 2012, 03:30 (GMT + 9)

In the next five years the Strategies for Dominican Aquaculture Development will take place following the commitment made by the main entities linked to the development of aquaculture in the country and domestic fish and crustacean producers grouped in the Dominican Association of Aquaculture Producers Inc. (ADOA).

It is hoped that this initiative will contribute to the continuous development and strengthening of aquaculture production based on the implementation of appropriate policies in 10 key areas: finance, safety (hygiene and health), environment, production, partnerships, marketing, promotion, research and training.

Proponents of the strategies intended to significantly increase production, especially of fish for local and foreign consumption. The goal is to reach 7,000 metric tonnes over the next four years.

It is expected that there will be a DOP 500 million (USD 12.6 million) investment will be made in the medium term to support the commissioning of 150 hectares of water surface in existing ponds apart from the fish production projects in floating cages in marine and fresh water, Nuevo Diario reported.

The country has about 500 hectares of ponds in land and the medium term objective is to exceed 30,000 square metres in marine floating cage facilities and the same surface in inland water cages.

To the authorities, ADOA president, Máximo Nicolás Goico, raised the question of the implementation of an immediate financing programme for small and medium producers, which would be implemented together with the Agricultural Bank.

Furthermore, he requested the establishment of a guarantee fund for aquaculture producers to have a viable access to the programme.

Inputs (fingerlings, feed and fertilizer), aquaculture equipment and small fish processing facilities will be funded, among other issues.

In addition, the technical support to producers is being considered.

These efforts are supported by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Dominican Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Codopesca), the National Council of Livestock Industry (Conaprope), the Taiwanese Technical Mission in the Dominican Republic, DG Standards and Systems (Digenor), the National Institute of Water Resources (Indrhi), ADOA and the Dominican Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Research (Idiaf).

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
 

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