Michael Abid Quiñones Irizarry, representative of the New Progressive Party (PNP) of Puerto Rico, asked the Secretary of the Federal Department of Agriculture to provide emergency assistance to the island's farmers, who have suffered historic losses from the powerful Hurricane Maria.

“Let's just say that without immediate assistance, many of our farmers will not be able to survive. That's how critical the situation is. We also need an injection of millions of dollars, technical assistance for developing damage mitigation projects and establish a system that provides the appropriate bases for recovery and clean-up efforts for areas that have been destroyed by the hurricane, in order to prepare them for future cultivation,” the legislator added.

According to data from the local Department of Agriculture, the preliminary estimated losses in this important sector of the economy exceed $2 billion.

The representative said that the idea is to create a new agricultural base in Puerto Rico, particularly in the Central Western region, focusing on innovative technology and a professional workforce that will establish a local level of consumption of 40% in the next five years, with the government's assistance.