Expo Vega Real 2025 highlights Agriculture Ministry’s role in rural transformation

La Vega, DR.- The 29th edition of Expo Vega Real opened Friday at La Vega Country Club, with Vice President Raquel Peña presiding over ceremonies that paid special tribute to Agriculture Minister Limber Cruz for his work modernizing the nation’s agricultural sector. Under the theme “Where the land speaks, the future listens,” the fair reinforced the Ministry of Agriculture’s status as a key driver of technological innovation, productive capacity building, and equitable development across rural regions.

In his acceptance remarks, Minister Cruz shared the honor with the farmers and laborers who form the backbone of Dominican agriculture. “We have connected science, research, and technology with Dominican farming,” he said, pointing to new irrigation systems, precision‐farming trials and expanded training programs that have begun to reach small‐scale producers in outlying provinces.

Vice President Peña also received recognition for her ongoing support of rural development initiatives, while business leaders such as José Agustín Hernández, Ney Pimentel, Oliverio Espaillat and Hugo Concepción were lauded for their contributions to the country’s agro‐industrial growth. Their awards underscored the fair’s emphasis on public‐private partnerships as essential to sustaining progress in food security and farm income.

Attended by former President Hipólito Mejía, La Vega Governor Luisa Jiménez, Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz and Senator Ramón Rogelio Genao, among others, Expo Vega Real 2025 will run through the weekend. Exhibitors and policy makers will use the gathering to forge intersectoral alliances, address lingering infrastructure gaps and chart a more prosperous, sustainable future for Dominican agriculture.