Dominica: Locally constructed Resilient Boats are near completion, announces Ministry of Agriculture

Roseau, Dominica: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Blue and Green Economy of the Commonwealth of Dominica has recently shared development updates regarding the completion of Resilient Boats in the nation.

As per the update, the first locally constructed Resilient Boats are near completion. “The Emergency Agricultural and Climate Resilience Project Component A2 Restoration of Fisheries Systems is moving ahead, and local boat builders are elated at the results,” the update informed through social media.

The Boat Builders operating out of the Hope Building Facility in Layou have just completed the hull mould, which will enable the start of the next step within the process, the first of the two pieces of the boat, according to the latest update by the Ministry.

Accordingly, a group of grassroots community leaders from the Providence Islands on the coast of Colombia while on the island last week visited the facility to get a first-hand tour of the construction and how they can replicate this on their territory.

In addition to this, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Blue and Green Economy also informed about the implementation of ITACA and Fundación Providence. “As part of a project implemented by ITACA and Fundación Providence with funds from Open Society Foundations, a consulting team was able to organise a series of knowledge exchanges with organisations in Dominica, Trinidad, Tobago and Barbados,” the update informed.

The project focuses on building back a better Providence Island in the aftermath of Hurricane IOTA (November 2020) through community-based adaptation, disaster risk reduction plans and alternative livelihoods.

The Ministry informed that a team from Providence Island on the coast of Colombia visited the island on Knowledge Exchange Visit to Dominica from June 24th-30th to obtain first-hand Dominica’s resilience journey and rebuilding of the agricultural and commercial sectors and our local governance structures, as it could be replicated on the island.