By The Star Staff
Popular Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate Jesús Manuel Ortiz González presented his agricultural platform to the Puerto Rico Farmers Association over the weekend.
“You are an integral part, not only of that farming model, but also an important part of our economy,” said Ortiz, emphasizing the need for a government that recognizes the importance of agriculture and listens to and addresses the needs of the sector.
The PDP president and legislator, in his address to the Farmers Association on Saturday, also pointed out that one of the most significant challenges facing agriculture in Puerto Rico is the lack of a robust government commitment, which translates into insufficient incentives for farmers.
“When a government does not ideologically agree that a country can stand on its own two feet and achieve sustainability, the first thing it will do is not defend with all its might the sector that can make it strong and self-sufficient, and that is agriculture,” Ortiz stressed. “And that translates into many of you suffering.”
As part of his public policy, Ortiz announced the creation of an Agricultural Advisory Group. Comprising leaders of bona fide organizations of farmers, ranchers, professional associations and the academy, the group would provide advice and recommendations.
“A governor must always have his ear to the ground and not be swayed only by his immediate circle,” Ortiz said. “That’s why I must have an advisory group to address issues related to the agricultural industry collectively. Achieving food security for our country is a shared responsibility. I am confident that we can take the necessary steps to direct those efforts by working together.”
As part of such an effort, Ortiz emphasized the creation of a long-term “Food Security Plan.” The plan includes reorganizing the Department of Agriculture and its instrumentalities to execute a vision of regenerative agriculture in a 10-to-20-year plan. Likewise, his government would promote the creation of agricultural cooperatives with access to land, capital and preference in incentive programs, the candidate said.
“As a government, we must be entities of economic development and I firmly believe that agriculture is a vehicle that, in addition to providing food security, promotes more Puerto Ricans establishing their own businesses,” Ortiz said. “Therefore, in addition to promoting the creation of agricultural cooperatives, we will be promoting the expansion of the inventory of land available for agriculture through the protection of land. To do so, we will facilitate the leasing of public land for agriculture through the creation of a single inventory of land that includes farms with rural and urban agricultural potential. In addition, we will exempt the payment of the rental fee during the first three years for regenerative agriculture projects that work [the land] without the use of chemicals.”
Likewise, the candidate said he intends to amend the Agricultural Tax Incentives Law to add new eligible agricultural activities such as the production and sale of compost and all kinds of bioproducts for soil and pest management.
Additionally, as governor, Ortiz said he would promote initiatives for the marketing of local products, such as the continuation and expansion of family markets and the establishment, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, of a local “Farm to School” program that provides opportunities for farmers to market their agricultural products in island schools.
The at-large lawmaker also expressed his full commitment to the fishing industry. He said he will equip fish markets with renewable energy systems to guarantee the refrigeration of fish during emergencies.
“I do not have to come to explain to you what the problems that you face are. After all, you are the ones who live them,” Ortiz said. “But I come to tell you that I see you, that your problems are not foreign to me, and that we will find solutions with you. That is the history of the PDP, and as your governor, I will fight for Puerto Rico to have a robust and sustainable agricultural industry.”
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