Our programs

We create, design and execute programs that contribute to the development and strengthening of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in the local community.

Our programs seek to improve market access for producers and entrepreneurs in the municipality of Miches, to generate an inclusive business model linked to tourism, and to support the sustainable development of the region, including ecological and climate smart agricultural production.

Program details follow:

Value chain

In partnership with the Multilateral Investment Fund of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB/MIF), we implemented the project "Inclusion of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in the Sustainable Tourism Supply Chain in Miches" from which we derived most of Fundación Tropicalia’s Productivity programs.

The project's activities are divided into five components:

  • Strengthen the commercial management and administration of local producers' organizations.
  • Promote climate smart agriculture to improve the quality, scope, and diversity of local production.
  • Build the presence and capacity of local micro and small enterprises that provide tourism and agricultural services. Increase access to financing for local producers and entrepreneurs.
  • Increase access to financing for local producers and entrepreneurs.
  • Share knowledge and strategies to promote inclusive business models in other tourism destinations.

The program supports the maturation of a local supply chain that can meet market demands of the tourism and agricultural sectors. It also diversifies local economic activity by redefining conventional supply chains in the region.

Strengthening Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs)

  • ¡Miches, sí!
    Promotes the improvement of existing local MSEs, supports new ventures, and strengthens Miches’ supply of tourism and agricultural products and services through capacity building programs. ¡Miches, si! teaches the entrepreneur to develop a business plan and invites him/her to participate in a business plan competition to access non-refundable seed capital.
  • ¡Miches Emprende!
    Operated by Banco ADOPEM, ¡Miches emprende! provides access to low-interest credit for sustainable tourism or agricultural business owners in Miches, that are also environmentally responsible.
Innovation
  • Diversification of Local Production: Farmers were introduced to new crops like ginger, watermelon and red peppers, and/or received technical assistance to improve yield of existing crops like passionfruit and pineapple, using sustainable agricultural practices.
  • Technical Assistance and Support for Climate Smart Agriculture: Farmers receive technical assistance and recommendations for better soil management, the efficient use of nutritional and organic fertilizers and ecological cultivation.
  • Environmental Mitigation:
    • Ecological Agriculture. We promote best agricultural practices, and minimize the use of conventional pesticides to mitigate the environmental impact associated with agricultural production.
    • Water Footprint. We are mapping and modelling the superficial and subterraneous water table in order to understand the hydrological footprint of agricultural production in Miches specific to these crops: rice, cacao, ginger, pineapple, passion fruit, yuca and breakfast cucurbits like melon and watermelon. Our study area is 200 km 2 and is delimited by the Atlantic Ocean to the North, the Eastern Corridor to the South, Laguna Limon to the East and Rio La Yeguada in Miches to the West. The study results will indicate the impact of these agricultural activities on available water resources and also recommend the most favorable geographical location for production.
    • Carbon Footprint. We conducted a comparative study of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions associated with producing, processing and sourcing seven (7) different crops from various distribution points in Dominican Republic and the world. GHG emissions calculations were made using Cool Farm Tool and the crops analyzed included: rice, cacao, pineapple, passionfruit, ginger, yuca and cucurbits like melon and watermelon. Ultimately, the study determined that sourcing produce at Zero Kilometers decreases considerably the product’s GHG emissions, making an environmental and business case for why a hotel developer should source locally.
    • Automatic Weather Station (AWS). Our AWS records wind direction and speed, humidity, dew point, air pressure, temperature, solar radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and rainfall. The climatological data is available on www.wunderground.com, providing real-time and historical data, which allows for planning tourism, agricultural and general activities in the Miches community.
Capacity Building
  • Capacity Building Workshops: Between 2014 and 2016, nine capacity building workshops were developed, reaching a total of 1,829 inscriptions (58% men and 42% women). Topics included financial education, business plan development, farmland management, pesticide use, organic production and best agricultural practices.
  • Motivational Leadership Speeches: Inspirational speakers share their personal stories of perseverance when faced with economic, physical and emotional challenges that life threw their way. These workshops seek to empower and inspire participants by creating a space for self-reflection and recognition of the important role they play in their communities.
Institutional strengthening
  • Cooperative. The Cooperative of Production and Multiple Services of Miches, or COOPROMI, was established to consolidate and organize the commercialization and marketing of the region’s diverse sector of goods and services. Since its creation, COOPROMI has accessed new financing opportunities and agricultural projects channeled through the program of the Presidency of the Dominican Republic, PRO-RURAL, executed by the Junta Agroempresarial Dominicana (JAD).
    In 2016, COOPROMI obtained the Presidential Decree to formalize its incorporation.