First rural farm with renewable energy started led by women in Nature Village

The Nature Power Foundation and FUNDASEP developed the aquaculture project that is being implemented with the special collaboration of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives of the Canadian Embassy in DR, CODOPESCA and IDB Lab, to boost the economy of around 300 people living in conditions of vulnerability in Sabana Yegua Viejo, Padre Las Casas municipality, Azua.

AZUA. – With the act of releasing fry food, the first rural operation of Nature Village began operations, a fish commercialization business that the women and men of this Azua model community have decided to start, which will operate entirely with clean energy , generated by solar panels.

The event was chaired by Mrs. Shauna Hemingway, Canadian Ambassador to the DR, Monsignor José Dolores Grullón, president of the Foundation for the development of Azua, San Juan and Elías Piña (FUNDASEP), José Luis Montero and Laura Rojas, president and executive director of the Nature Power Foundation, respectively, together with women from the community who lead this project, which consists of raising and marketing tilapia in ponds of 21 MTS X 86 MTS X 2.5MTS, built with geomembrane and which will operate with solar aerators .

“We have had a connection with the Nature Power Foundation, and because of their passion for this community we have decided to invest in it. The most important thing is that this is a project that involves many actors to benefit all members of the Sabana Yegua Viejo families, ”said Shauna Hemingway.

“La Nueva Esperanza Fish Farm is the result of community empowerment in Nature Village and together with the support of the Canada Fund, IDB Lab, UNDP Small Grants Program, the private sector and local government organizations that have decided to join, we have carried out the first planting of 22,000 red fry, so that these women and young people produce fish in ponds with solar aeration that they will be able to market in this area near the Sabana Yegua Dam, to increase their income and improve their lives, “said Laura Rojas.

“We have become empowered and have made a commitment to move this endeavor forward as we have opportunities to grow in our community, which for the first time has energy from the sun and will soon have clean water and sanitation for homes. Thanks to all the people who put themselves in our shoes and help us live better, ”said Alejandrina De La Cruz, president of the La Nueva Esperanza fish farm and community leader.

As part of the celebration, the entrepreneurs signed a commitment to work with responsibility, transparency, teamwork and quality to make the operations of the farm sustainable.

CANADÁ FUND

The Canada Fund is a program created by the Government of Canada around the world, in order to promote the execution of projects that increase the quality of life and the democratic conditions of the most vulnerable sectors, thus responding to the priorities of local communities and joining the efforts of each country where it works.