Dominica Agriculture Ministry to provide tools, fertilizers to increase production

Roseau, Dominica: The government of the Commonwealth of Dominica has started initiatives to upgrade the agriculture sector of the nation. It has assured the farmers to provide support in the form of tools, fertilizers and soil amendments. The Dominican government has anticipated that this support will assist the farmers with general husbandry exercise and will also contribute to increasing production and profit.

Climate Resilience Project of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, along with Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods, will assist the farmers in cultivating their acreages and production levels. This initiative will commence on June 1, 2023, through the intervention of the World Bank Funded.

The government will be offering two categories to the farmers of Dominica. The first package will be: two acres but less than three acres under active cultivation will receive an incentive package valued at $5,400, and those with three acres but less than six acres will receive packages worth $10,800.

As per the government, every farmer will be given ten (10) bags of Agricultural White Lime and two (2) Diathane packets per acre of cultivated land.

The Project Manager – Kervin Stephenson, stated that these two crops hold immense importance as these are regarded as priority crops and help in protecting food security in Dominica. Additionally, these crops also contribute towards foreign exchange earnings.

The production of the crops has been aligned by the Ministry with the ongoing ‘Eat Local, Live Long’ initiative.

Stephenson was quoted saying, “With the resources provided by the Government of Dominica and through the Ministry’s policy directive, we continue to provide stability to the sector, and through the equitable distribution of supplies, the structure of the Banana and Plantain Unit and other units within the Ministry will make advancements.”

The Dominican Government has promised to remain committed to strengthening the capacity of the Agriculture Ministry, directly contributing to the increased production of bananas and plantain.