Agricultural Colonization in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

T nHE use of the agricultural colony as a technique for opening up new frontiers, settling areas of low population densities, and attracting immigrants from abroad has been subject to widespread experiment in Latin America during the last century. Colonization has been attempted with varying degrees of success in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and numerous other Latin countries. Despite these experiences, however, the body of information which might serve as a guide to future colonization is both limited and controversial. There are few authoritative commentaries, for example, on matters such as the amount of land required per farm family under different economic and physical circumstances, whether preference should be given to nationals or to foreigners in the selection of colonists, what roles government should play, and other questions critical to the success or failure of new ventures. Existing colonies have developed in such a variety of environmental conditions, economic possibilities, and cultural fabrics that generalizations are difficult and the establishment of guiding principles demands further investigation. Currently, perhaps the most promising frame of reference in Latin America for clarification of colonization problemns and techniques is the large-scale settlement experiment being carried on in the Dominican Republic (Fig. 1). As a potential guide, the Dominican program has several advantages: it has been in operation for more than 30 years; it has used both nationals and foreigners as colonists; and it has functioned under a multiplicity of physical conditions. Equally important, the enthusiasm for the program is increasing, indicating a wider measure of success in colonization here than elsewhere in Latin America. This paper will examine the Dominican experience both as an example which might throw some light on the general problems and processes of colonization and, incidentally, as a means of viewing the important changes that are taking place in the country's areal patterns.'