04 April, 2014
MONTE PLATA. – Funded by the United Parcel Service (UPS), Batey Relief Alliance (BRA Dominicana) received the donation from Florida-based non-governmental organization, Food for the Poor, of a new 800-square meters Greenhouse to improve crop production for ill-equipped farmers living in vulnerable sugarcane plantations rural “batey” communities, province of Monte Plata. “Placed inside Batey Antonci, the new technology is part of BRA’s ongoing effort to help local farming families harvest quality agricultural products; create food security; and become economically self-sufficient,” said Ulrick Gaillard, BRA’s CEO
In 2009, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) donated US $2 million to BRA to set up the bateyes’ first Agricultural Cooperative to produce crops and animals to feed 35,000 people. In 2012, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) supported the project by increasing swine production for 2,500 farmers. Gaillard further acknowledged that after expanding into border province of Elias Pina in 2014, BRA’s agricultural production is now being studied by experts from Marquette University as a model to offer cutting edge techniques to farmers around the country in the areas of organic production and regional export.
