Constanza, one of the most fertile lands of the Dominican Republic, will be responsible for yielding the country's largest garlic harvest in the last ten years.
Osmar Benitez, the Minister of Agriculture, and producers of this municipality reported that, after a long period and after the Government gave farmers garlic seeds, there were currently 513.5 hectares planted with garlic in the Valley of Constanza.
During a tour of the planted area, Benitez said that there were an additional 12.5 hectares of garlic in the province of San Jose de Ocoa.
"We are happy to celebrate this field day in Constanza to recognize the work of these producers and to emphasize that, when the government and farmers work hand in hand, we can achieve what we have always aspired to achieve, that producers make a profit," said Benitez.
The official guaranteed that this harvest would be sold in the market without any interference from imported garlic. He said that the garlic would be commercialized at a fair and reasonable price where producers 'win ballots'.
Benítez stressed that the producers must return the garlic seeds to create a fund to leave in the municipality to ensure next year sowing.
"We have received support from other institutions, such as the Agricultural Bank. The government intervened, provided the seeds to the producers and today the entire valley has been sown," he said.
The field day held by the Ministry of Agriculture in Constanza unfolded among requests, suggestions, and promises.
Most of the men and women who arrived in the municipality had envelopes and folders under their arms with some kind of request for the official.
