PROJECT TITLE

Powering the Dominican Republic’s Food Systems Transformation: The Scalable Model of the Yaque del Sur Basin

The Yaque del Sur Basin is a strategic agricultural territory producing a significant share of the country’s staple crops, yet it suffers from soil degradation, climate vulnerability, water stress, and persistent food insecurity. Smallholder farmers, women, and youth face barriers to credit, insurance, and market access. Schools struggle with food waste and limited nutrition quality. The Joint Programme models an integrated territorial approach that strengthens school environments, restores ecosystems, expands inclusive green finance, and improves governance across the basin. The model will inform national policy and align major investments to support climate resilient, nature positive food systems.

• Healthier school environments through better menus, food waste reduction, biodigesters, and nutrition education.
• Ecosystem restoration and climate‑resilient agriculture across the basin with agroforestry, soil rehabilitation, and risk‑informed planning.
• Strengthened cooperatives, improved access to green finance, agricultural insurance, and payment‑for‑ecosystem‑services (PES) schemes.
• Integrated territorial governance linking local platforms with national policies, enabling coherent planning and scale‑up. 

Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Public Health; Intersectoral Commission for Food and Nutritional Security and Sovereignty (SETESAN); National Institute for Student Welfare (INABIE); Ministry of Environment; local governments; agricultural cooperatives; financial institutions; and others.

• Healthy and sustainable schools model implemented in eight schools, with digital tools (SISVANE, OptiWaste) enabling data‑driven governance.
• Agro‑climatic committees and community disaster‑risk networks equipped to manage climate hazards.
• Restored agricultural landscapes and nature‑based solutions improving soil and water systems.
• Pilot green finance instruments, including Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes and climate‑adapted credit and insurance products.