Two weeks of downpours secure abundant yearend harvests: Expert

Santo Domingo.- The downpours of the past two weeksguarantee abundant harvests at year’s end, even in places such as Puerto Plata andalong the coast to Montecristi, where it hasn’t rained much during three years,said Dominican Agribusiness Board CEO Osmar Benitez on Monday.

He said although the rains have caused damage, particularlyto infrastructure projects in mountainous areas and valleys, they’ve endedyears of drought which had significantly declined crops.

The expert forecasts that with reduced rainfall from now on,massive planting of various crops, an abundant harvest will start at the end ofthe year.

He said all of the country’s reservoirs are full, includingthe biggest of its 34 dams: Tavera, Valdesia, Jiguey-Aguacate, Sabaneta, SabanaYegua, Monción, Rincón and Hatillo.

Quoted by elnacional.com.do, Benitez said the benefit ofthe rains, aside from guaranteeing piped water to households and agro production,also increase hydroelectric generation significantly, with a decrease in costs.

He said the rains also benefit livestock by contributing toproduce fodder of higher quality and quantity.