The Agricultural Development Bank (BDA) delivered loans totaling 485,445 balboas to benefit micro and small livestock farmers in the province of Coclé for well drilling, ensuring cattle have necessary water during the dry season. The checks were presented to 13 producers from Penonomé, Natá, and Aguadulce during an Expanded Cabinet Council meeting in the province's capital district, chaired by the President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, who affirmed that these loans are part of the institution's reorganization program to support small producers. Also participating were the First Lady, Maricel Cohen de Mulino; the Minister of Agricultural Development, Roberto Linares; and the acting General Manager of the BDA, Francisco Mejía, among other authorities. In Natá, 10 small cattle farmers for both fattening and breeding will be able to develop well drilling projects on their ranches due to the dry season affecting the country's Dry Arc, which includes the provinces of Coclé, Herrera, and Los Santos. Of the total approved credits, 3 are to provide water through well drilling to cattle farmers for both fattening and semi-stall-fed cattle from the Penonomé and Aguadulce districts. It is worth noting that another 24 livestock farmers from Coclé have processed loan applications to have water for their cattle during the dry season. The BDA, which is undergoing an institutional restructuring process towards the Agricultural Promotion Institute (IFA), focuses on granting loans to micro and small producers to boost food production under the guidelines of President José Raúl Mulino. The vision of the new institution is to promote investments more effectively, using technology such as windmills, pumps, and solar submersibles for remote areas where traditional electricity has not yet reached, making the projects more sustainable and viable over time for the future of national agriculture.
