Announcement of Irrigation and Power Potential Survey in the Dominican Republic on February 26, 1965

... HOLD FOR RELEASE ' F() 181~, H STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON D. C. 20433 I, For'Publication Subject,.: Irrigation and power potential A.M. Newspapers survey in'the Dominica.-n Republic 1 Friday, February 26, 1965 The United Nations Special Fund, the Government of the Dominican Republic and the World Bank, have signed an agi:eeme~r~ ~o carry out feasibility studies necessary for the develo~ent ,:,,.,f the irrigation antl-·pbwer facilities of the Yaque del Norte and the Yaque del Sur river basins. .. the The Special Fund approved . project in January 19~5, and has allocated ~ $1,276,500 to coyer the foreign exchange ,costs. The Government of the Dominican Republic will bear the local currency costs, which will amount to the equivalent • of $1,589,000. The World Bank will act as Executing Agency for the project and will disburse the funds made available by the Special Fund. Provision has been made in the agreement for technical training of Dominican nationals to enable them to plan and operate future water resource development p~ojects. The Dominican Government has given high priority to the development of agri- culture, which provides for nearly all exports, over 40% of the GNP, and employs about two-thirds of the country's manpower. The Government intends to develop new land, increase the area under irrigation, improve farming methods and encourage agricultural capital formation. Climatic conditions in the Dominican Republic are particularly suitable for the growing of high value fruit and vegetable crops for export to major consuwing markets and for domestic consumption. Such crop develop- ment could also provide the basis for efficient food processing industries. 4. !he studies, which are expected to be completed in two years' time, will • be carried out. in two stages by the consulting firm SOGR~AH (Societe Grenoblaise d'Etudes et d 1 Application Hydrauliques) of Grenoble, France. They are designed to  .• . ,, ¥ ! -- -, - 2 - . • provide an integrated and comprehensive approach to thedevelopm~nt of land and water resources of the river basins for agricultural and h.ydroelectric purposes. In addition, the content and manner of execution will keep to a minimum the inter- val between the completion of the studies and the examination of th.1e results by prospective financing agencies. The first stage of the studies will include basic topographic mapping, hyclro- logi~ studies and land classification in order to identify the best irrigation possibilities in each of the two river basins which would have highest priority for initial project development. It will include preliminary studies to determine the best sites for. storage dams to generate power and exploit the full irrigation potential of the Yaque del Norte and Yaque del Sur basins and in t~e adjacent Azua plain. Groundwater explorations in the Azua plain will be carried out simulta- neously. • The second stage will include feasibility studies of an initial irrigation project covering approximately 20,000 hectares in each basin. This will include the establishment of an irrigation district in each basin to operate, maintain and manage the proposed irrigation activities. It will also include a feasibility study and preliminary design and cost estimates for a major multipurpose storage dam in the Yaque del Norte area. The consultants will recommend measures for setting up a demonstration and research center in each district to investigate crop rotation., fertilizer application and bette1· irrigation methods. The demon- stt.'a.t:i.on and research centers would be instrumental in improving farm efficiency in the two basins and the Azua plain and could play a useful role in the Govern- ment's resettlement program. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has e~pressed ~n interest in assisting the Govermnent in connection with the demonstration and :research centers and the resettlement program~ • ff