Agriculture Dept. awards $6M to boost local agribusiness
The Puerto Rico Agriculture Department announced the allocation of more than $6 million to strengthen the island’s agribusiness sector through federal and local initiatives.
The agency said $4.1 million will be distributed among 16 farmers and agribusinesses under the Federal Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, which will run through 2027.
“The RFSI Program is a clear example of this administration’s commitment to the economic development of our agricultural communities. This investment will expand critical infrastructure for the processing, packaging, refrigeration and distribution of our food, reducing losses and increasing food resilience,” Gov. Jenniffer González said.
Agriculture Secretary Josué E. Rivera added that “these 16 projects represent a direct intervention at critical points in our agri-food chain. We are supporting initiatives that will transform vegetables, tropical fruits, flour products and other local crops into products with a longer shelf life, thus strengthening the entire value chain and creating jobs in rural areas.”
The department said it received 124 proposals and selected projects based on regional impact, innovation, sustainability and equity. Beneficiaries include Caribbean Fruit Farm, Agropek, Bananera Fabre, Hatillo Nova Lact, Empresas de Café and several individual producers. The program is expected to create 51 jobs, develop 75 new agricultural products and directly benefit 243 producers.
In addition, $748,771 in remaining funds from the Agricultural Investment, Equipment, Works and Permanent Improvements Program (Pieompa, in Spanish) will support 30 farmers in industries including eggs, coffee and cattle. Another $1.2 million from the Dairy Industry Regulatory Office (ORIL, in Spanish) will benefit 31 dairy farmers to expand production capacity.
“These types of initiatives represent the economic development model we defend — one based on self-sufficiency, equity and the strengthening of our productive sectors,” González said.
