Dominican Republic agronomists warn of production risks amid staff cuts

agronomists agricultural production ANPA food security professional pensions

Agricultural professionals in the Dominican Republic are raising alarms regarding the stability of national food production following the dismissal of approximately 2,000 agronomists. The Asociación Nacional de Profesionales Agropecuarios (ANPA) warns that this loss of technical assistance has led to increased pest outbreaks, crop diseases, and a decline in export quality, specifically regarding bell peppers.

During the celebration of National Agronomist Day, ANPA leadership, including newly re-elected president Víctor Hugo Hernández, called on President Luis Abinader to address critical sector demands. Key priorities include the pensioning of 1,435 professionals, increasing existing pensions, and establishing a minimum wage of RD$50,000 for the sector.

Political figures and various organizations have also commented on the importance of agronomists in maintaining the country's food security and economic stability. While some leaders highlighted past achievements in reaching high levels of food self-sufficiency, current concerns focus on the need for modernization, climate change adaptation, and the protection of agricultural land from urban expansion.