FOOD SAFETY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: LAUNCH OF THE “SIA” PROJECT WITH THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FUNDING FROM THE INTERAMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

FOOD SAFETY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: LAUNCH OF THE “SIA” PROJECT WITH THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FUNDING FROM THE INTERAMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

In the Dominican Republic, a major player in the agri-food sector in the Caribbean, the Ministry of Agriculture has decided to entrust COLEAD with the new SIA project (SANIDAD E INNOVACION AGROPECUARIA), which aims to make a significant difference to food safety and the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. The SIA project is financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) over a period of 29 months.

Objectives of the SIA project

The main objective of the SIA project is to strengthen sustainable production capacities, increase food safety and improve access to local and international markets. The specific objectives are as follows

• Improve agri-food health and safety services by modernising infrastructure and working methods to ensure better compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
• Promoting innovation and technology transfer by introducing advanced technologies and innovative practices to increase productivity and environmental sustainability.
• Improve the agricultural statistical system by developing a data collection and analysis system for better decision-making and more effective agricultural policies.

The project team

The success of the SIA project is based on an international and multidisciplinary team. Pablo Lopez-Herrerias, a recognised expert with over 20 years of experience in development cooperation, has been appointed by COLEAD as project coordinator. His experience, particularly with COLEAD, in implementing regulatory frameworks and designing projects in the field of SPS will bring considerable added value to this initiative. Pablo will coordinate a team of experts specialised in different fields such as animal health, plant health and sanitary quality. This multidisciplinary team will ensure the holistic and integrated approach needed to address the many facets of the project.

Key components of the project

The SIA project is structured around four main modules, each targeting specific aspects of the Dominican agriculture and livestock sector:

• Module 1: health reform, including updating regulations and developing a national SPS policy.
• Module 2: improving SPS systems for better decision making based on scientific and factual data.
• Module 3: strengthening sanitary and phytosanitary surveillance programmes to maintain the country’s phytosanitary status.
• Module 4: improve health management within the food safety department, focusing on good agricultural practices and certification.

Commitment and future impact

With the SIA project, the Dominican Republic is making a firm commitment to agricultural innovation and sustainability. This project is not just a response to current needs, but a proactive vision for a future where food safety, economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability are inextricably linked.