Dajabón, DR.- During the second meeting between border demarcation producers and officials from the Water and Agricultural sectors, held on Tuesday at the provincial Government, the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI) announced plans to enhance hydraulic works, including sediment extraction, and to intervene in irrigation systems in the province to improve irrigation efficiency.

Olmedo Caba Romano, executive director of INDRHI, made this announcement during the meeting, where they assessed and agreed on actions, in addition to those already underway, to further bolster the agricultural sector. These actions include interventions in irrigation systems requiring attention, adaptation of the Dajabón or Masacre river channel near La Jagua lagoon, and sediment removal from the Cabeza de Caballo dam with a dredge, among other initiatives.

“We have the necessary equipment to extract sediments that naturally accumulate during the rainy season, which can be addressed during the dry season like the current one,” explained the official. He described the meeting as a transparent and public demonstration of government management led by Luis Abinader, aimed at addressing the needs of agricultural producers.

The government delegation also included Senator Eduardo Estrella, Agricultural Bank administrator Fernando Durán, National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewage (INAPA) director Wellington Arnaud, Dominican Agricultural Insurance Company (AGRODOSA) general manager José Fabela, Specialized Land Border Security Corps (CESFRONT) general director Freddy Soto Thormann ERD, along with representatives from the Ministry of the Interior and Police in the region. Governor Rosalba Milagros Peña, the Executive Branch’s representative in the province, moderated the discussions.

The Agricultural Bank and AGRODOSA announced disbursement of payments for registered claims to date, as well as the availability of zero-rate financing credits for acquiring heavy equipment, such as a backhoe for the Irrigation Board of the province. These measures are aimed at further strengthening production in the area.

José Lucio Gil, president of the Board of Irrigators of Dajabón, praised the responsiveness of the authorities, which has enabled them to address sectoral requirements through these platforms for engagement with the government. He also noted that to date, they have not experienced crop losses due to water shortages.