Dominica’s agriculture sector is witnessing significant advancements, reflecting the government’s unwavering dedication to sustainable economic development. Agriculture Minister Roland Royer emphasized the importance of this sector during a press conference at the Ministry of Finance, highlighting its role in enhancing food security, creating employment, and driving rural development.
The minister noted that the government is committed to sustainable practices that boost productivity while supporting farmers. Investments made under the Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods & Climate Resilience Project (EALCRP) demonstrate this focus. Royer detailed the program’s ability to adapt to global challenges, including the activation of a US$3.6 million contingency response in April 2020 to address food security and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, an April 2023 response directed US$8 million towards bolstering food security through loans.
Royer outlined the project’s financial progress, revealing that as of January 2024, 70% of the revised US$36.6 million (EC$98.8 million) budget had been utilized. Key achievements include the restoration of over 400 acres of farmland, the distribution of inputs to 3,713 farmers, and significant advancements in livestock farming through the provision of materials for more than 120 structures.
Infrastructure development has also been a highlight, with eight major projects completed, including the North East Agricultural Extension Office, the Salisbury Irrigation System, and a tissue culture hardening facility at One Mile. Efforts under the food security response included animal feed distribution and contracts for greenhouses, hydroponics systems, and agro-processing equipment.
Royer emphasized that the agricultural livelihood project is more than a recovery effort; it serves as a blueprint for a sustainable future. The goal of EC$700 million in GDP contributions from agriculture by 2030, he noted, is a vision of resilience and self-reliance, ensuring Dominica’s agricultural sector remains a vital component of the nation’s prosperity.
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