Farmers face crisis as Government fails to pay Agrodosa insurance debt

Santo Domingo.- Thousands of farmers across the Dominican Republic are facing financial ruin due to a debt exceeding 800 million pesos owed by the government to the Dominican Agricultural Insurance Company (Agrodosa). The Ministry of Agriculture has failed to make payments for farm workers’ crop insurance for nearly a year, leaving farmers without protection against potential losses.

The lack of payment has left farmers, including Manuel Flores, president of the National Association of Rice Growers, deeply concerned. Flores noted that without insurance coverage, they are vulnerable to damages caused by natural disasters, such as storms. Rice producer Nelson Peña added that the impasse between the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrodosa directly impacts farmers, as Agrodosa plays a vital role in supporting them.

The debt, confirmed by the General Directorate of Agricultural Risks (Digera), highlights the issue. Agrodosa, which subsidizes half the cost of crop insurance, has only received 80 million pesos from Digera, despite its 90% state ownership. The recent rains caused by natural phenomena have worsened the situation, resulting in the loss of thousands of acres of crops. Agricultural leaders, including Danilo Severino, former director of the National Association of Agricultural Producers (ANPA), are warning that if the government does not intervene, Agrodosa could collapse, putting countless farmers at risk.