Santo Domingo.- The former secretary general of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Charles Mariotti, member of its Political Committee, assured that the Government has wasted valuable opportunities to implement policies that truly strengthen the agricultural sector. national and benefit producers.
Mariotti noted that the administration must prioritize initiatives such as land leveling to maximize the use of water resources, targeted subsidies with performance evaluations that promote competitiveness, development of more productive and resilient agricultural varieties, as well as improvements in road infrastructure and irrigation systems.
He also highlighted the need to offer technical advice to small and medium producerss to promote sustainable practices and strengthen associations, generating social capital in the sector.
“The Government must go beyond simple decrees and focus on implementing structural policies that guarantee the sustainability and competitiveness of our producers. These are the true actions that should have been taken from the beginning,” Mariotti stressed.
In relation to the Decree No. 693-24, issued December 17, 2024, that establishes tariff measures to protect national rice production, Mariotti insisted that its application must be temporary and accompanied by a constant evaluation to avoid international conflicts.
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Mariotti warned that these measures could conflict with the terms of DR-CAFTA, since starting in January 2025, American rice should be exempt from tariffs. This could lead to trade tensions with strategic partners such as United States and Nicaragua, who could appeal to the dispute resolution mechanisms provided for in the treaty.
Potential repercussions include possible retaliatory measures by the United States that would affect key exports, such as those from free zones, as well as diplomatic tensions because the measure could be interpreted as a disguised restriction, violating international standards.
Mariotti concluded by reiterating that, although it is crucial to protect local producers, the Government must adopt approaches that are compatible with international commitments, thus avoiding negative impacts on other sectors of the national economy.
