In the Dominican Republic, Partners of the Americas' Farmer to Farmer Program will focus on improving the livelihoods of small and medium scale farmers by increasing the production of high-value crops with improved product quality and increasing sales of fresh and processed high-value and non-traditional crops in local, national and international markets.  Dr. Rafael Ledesma Schoowe and Juan Villar Silfa lead Partners' projects in the Dominican Republic.  The following project areas are currently being proposed to USAID and are pending approval:

Horticulture
Project Purpose: In the Horticulture Project, Partners' anticipates working with individual farmers and associations to increase the production and quality of both traditional and non-traditional crops, including, but not limited to peppers, cucumbers, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.  The Project may also work to improve the organizational and management capacity of participating producers and producer associations.

Project Activities: Partners plans that volunteers will provide assistance in areas such as greenhouse and organic production of fruits and vegetables; post-harvest handling, transport and storage; marketing and market linkages; and agribusiness strengthening and development.

Tree Crops
Project Purpose: In the Tree Crops Project, Partners anticipates working with individual farmers and associations to increase the production and quality of high-value tree crops, particularly avocados, mangos, organic coffee and organic cocoa.  The Project may also work to improve the organizational and management capacity of participating producers and producer associations.

Project Activities: Partners plans that volunteers will provide assistance in areas such as organic production and certification; post-harvest handling, transport and storage; marketing and market linkages; and agribusiness strengthening and development.

New!  Read volunteer stories and share your comments on the Farmer to Farmer Blog!	Links to Agricultural Funding Resources and to Agriculture and Environment Websites	Donate to the Farmer to Farmer Program
Farmer to Farmer Flex Program		To learn more, please read the other sections on the web page or contact us at:   pcarlson@partners.net

"This webpage is made possible in part by the generous support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.”