Santo Domingo, Nov 10 (EFE) .- The International Fund for Agricultural Development (FIDA) will replicate in other countries the Rural Development Economic Project (Prorural) carried out by the Government of the Dominican Republic as a model of combating poverty.

This was announced today by the President of IFAD, Gilbert F. Houngbo, former Prime Minister of Togo, when he met with the Dominican President, Danilo Medina, in his office of the National Palace.

In offering details of the meeting with the Dominican head of state, Houngbo highlighted the joint efforts of the Government with the private sector to promote initiatives such as Prorural, which he defined as "an example to take to other countries."

"It was exciting to speak with President Danilo Medina. Above all for his vision in the fight against poverty and his commitment in the search for the elimination of inequalities, "said the president of IFAD.

IFAD finances the project Prorural, and managed by the Directorate General of Multilateral Cooperation (Digecoom) of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development of the Republic, in a public-private partnership with The Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD).

The initiative aims to contribute to the reduction of poverty through the exploitation of market opportunities of the main value chains of agricultural production of the 20 provinces that comprise the zone of influence of the Project in the Central and Eastern region of the country.

The contribution of the Government The Dominican Republic for the implementation of the aforementioned business plans translates, mainly, into the creation of capacities of the Rural Economic Organizations and the technical assistance, although it also makes economic contributions.

Medina delivered in April this year the third disbursement of the Prorural worth more than 104 million pesos, about 2.17 million dollars), an amount that benefits 20,000 small producers and their families, who benefit from the initiative.

With this amount, the amount corresponding to the The first stage of the project, for a total of 414 million pesos (about 8.6 million dollars) of funds destined for financing, on account of resources coming from the Convention of Financing 811-DO subscribed between the Government and IFAD.

For its application, 40 organizations of small producers of 20 provinces of the country were selected with the the purpose of improving rural income and combating poverty effectively.

For his part, the Director General of National Cooperation and the European Desarrollo, Antonio Vargas, highlighted the "great honor" of IFAD's position vis-à-vis the country, and highlighted the harmony in that institution's work with the Government's efforts to well-being of the Dominican countryside.

An effort that generates a sustainable economy in the countryside and allows the development of small producers.

During the meeting between Medina and Houngbo also addressed issues related to social protection, in areas such as health, or the effectiveness of the public-private partnership model, noting that "the most important are the different initiatives to create a value chain ".