New Minister of Agriculture calls not to let down one's guard and reaffirms commitment to food security

Santo Domingo. – The new Minister of Agriculture, Francisco Oliverio Espaillat Bencosme, called on all productive sectors of the country not to let their guard down and reaffirmed his commitment to work permanently to continue guaranteeing the agri-food security of the Dominican Republic. After being sworn in by the administrative minister of the Presidency, Andrés Bautista, Espaillat Bencosme thanked President Luis Abinader for the trust placed in him to assume this important responsibility, assuring that it will be honored with work, dialogue and results. On his part, upon taking the oath, the Baptist minister highlighted that Espaillat has the essential characteristics to continue mitigating the challenges of the agricultural sector, which he will assume with responsibility and with all the support he requires from experts to maintain the production of items that go directly to Dominican homes.

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The newly sworn-in minister Espaillat expressed that he assumes the position with enthusiasm and a high sense of responsibility, highlighting the management of his predecessor, Limber Cruz, whom he defined as a friend, producer, and great human being. He assured that he will continue the good initiatives developed and that he will promote new technology and innovation projects for the benefit of all productive sectors.

Although he comes from the rice sector, he affirmed that his commitment encompasses the entire national agricultural sector. “My blood is agricultural, from A to Z”, he expressed, pointing out that he knows firsthand the sacrifice involved in producing food in the country and that the sector will have an ally who will work 24/7.

Espaillat Bencosme emphasized that food security is one of the main challenges in the world and that the Dominican Republic is no exception, highlighting that the country produces more than 90% of the food it consumes, a figure that - he said - must be expanded and strengthened. Finally, he called on all productive sectors to trust in the country and its future, assuring that the Ministry of Agriculture will work with everyone on equal terms, with dialogue, respect and a vision for the future.

Leadership in the agricultural sector

Francisco Oliverio Espaillat Bencosme is one of the main promoters of agricultural mechanization in the Dominican Republic, especially in rice cultivation, with a career that has transcended nationally and internationally. He is an agricultural engineer, graduated cum laude from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), Santiago campus, and was recognized in 2016 as Agro-entrepreneur of the Year, a distinction that highlighted his contributions to the development and modernization of the agricultural sector. His experience includes high-impact projects such as the recovery of unproductive land in Puerto Rico, where he managed to establish and produce 10,000 tasks of rice in just 90 days, in addition to his participation in international events in countries such as China, Japan, Costa Rica, Brazil, United States, Nicaragua and Panama. Since 1989, he has been dedicated to rice production and has held leadership positions in key sector entities, including the presidency of the National Federation of Rice Producers (Fenarroz) and the Association of Producers of the Northeast (Aprano), as well as his role as a founding member of the Aerial Applicators Association (Aplica).