Agronomist Irving Rodríguez Torres, the newly appointed secretary of the Department of Agriculture, has unveiled an ambitious administrative agenda aimed at modernizing Puerto Rico’s agricultural sector.
His plan prioritizes cutting unnecessary bureaucracy, optimizing the use of federal funds, boosting value-added production, and driving local transformation. A key pillar of the strategy is integrating science, technology, and data into decision-making processes, while placing farmers at the center of all public policy.
Rodríguez Torres emphasized strengthening collaborative agreements with private industry, municipalities, and state and federal agencies. As part of that vision, the agency will launch an Accelerated Agriculture Program to support existing producers and fast-track those with growth potential. The initiative will apply tailored strategies for competitive, transitional and subsistence farmers, while promoting controlled-environment production as a resilience measure against extreme weather events.
The Agriculture Department also plans strategic partnerships to expand the use of certified seeds and tissue culture, aiming to improve yield and quality in local production.
On the infrastructure front, the administration will work closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Land Authority and private stakeholders to address irrigation systems, drainage, ponds and wells, with a strong focus on measurable execution. Actions will be backed by defined timelines, assigned personnel and impact metrics. Currently, the commonwealth agency subsidizes 104 agricultural projects equipped with solar energy systems, representing an investment of over $13 million to strengthen energy self-sufficiency in the sector.
In marketing and value-added initiatives, the Agriculture Department will reinforce farmers’ markets with a focus on local products and effective oversight, while promoting agricultural denominations of origin to distinguish and elevate Puerto Rican-grown goods. Additionally, the agency will organize fairs, summits and business meetings to connect producers directly with buyers, underscoring Puerto Rico’s role as part of the U.S. agricultural market and its compliance with federal standards and opportunities.
Source - https://www.sanjuandailystar.com
