In Santo Domingo, the National Confederation of Agricultural Producers (CONFENAGRO) backed the efforts of President Luis Abinader before the United States on rice trade, pointing out that national interest must be at the center of the negotiations. The president of the confederation, Wilfredo Cabrera, stated that rice is “one of the main components of the Dominican diet, sustains an important productive chain and represents a fundamental element of our sovereignty”.
Legal and constitutional framework
The Decree 693-24 recognizes rice as a sensitive product, whose stable and continuous production is essential for the country’s sovereignty and food security. Additionally, Article 54 of the Constitution of the Republic establishes that the State has the responsibility to promote agricultural productivity to guarantee food security.
Economic and social importance
Cabrera pointed out that rice benefits more than 30,000 producers and generates more than 300,000 direct and indirect jobs. “Dominican producers need stability, clear rules, and conditions that allow them to produce, invest, and plan for the long term”, explained the leader of CONFENAGRO.
Lessons from the pandemic and international crises
The confederation recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions in global supply chains demonstrated the need to preserve the ability to produce national food as a strategic guarantee during crises. “The country can honor its international commercial commitments without putting national production of a strategic food at risk”, he stated.
Approach to negotiations with the US
CONFENAGRO emphasized that the government must ensure sector stability, maintaining clear rules and protecting internal productive capacity. “The protection of rice cannot be addressed solely as a commercial product”, Cabrera reiterated.
Credits: deultimominuto.com
