CDB/FAO Donates Tractors and Starch Machine to Boost Cassava Production

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have donated two tractors and a starch extractor to the Ministry of Agriculture. The presentation was made by Dr. Renata Clarke, FAO’s sub-regional coordinator. The farming implement was handed over to Ryan Anselm, the technical officer for projects and services at the ministry.

The tractors and commercial starch extractor are valued at US$23,000.

Dr. Clarke stated that the donation was part of FAO’s initiative to support cassava farming and the entire tuber crops industry. She disclosed that FAO is “doing a lot of work on roots and tuber” in Dominica and the entire east Caribbean region.

“I am very happy to be here today for this handover of the equipment. This is in support of the cassava value chain,” Dr. Clarke explained. “We are concerned with production costs: reducing the [cost of] labour and the tediousness of the work.”

Anselm on behalf of the Agriculture Ministry expressed thanks to the CDB and the FAO. He said the implements will help cassava farmers to obtain higher yields in their crops, and that cassava is a government priority crop for food abundance and economic advantage.

[The equipment] will assist the cassava farmers in land preparation to increase their productivity and production,” he said. “The Government of Dominica has identified cassava as a resilient commodity that can assist in rural development and economic gain for rural families. We have targeted women and youth in [considering] the development of the rural industry.”

Ministry officials promised to put the tractors and starch extractor to good use, adding it will prove very useful to cassava growers and edible producers throughout the country.

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