Minister Says Agriculture & Fisheries Could Add $700 Million to GDP By 2030

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Fisheries, Jullan Defoe, said the sector could contribute up to $700 million to Dominica’s GDP by 2030. He said the country depends on youths to meet this target, and that more youths are expected to go into fisheries and agriculture to boost food security and GDP revenue.

They [youths] would be the most critical people we are looking for to meet our huge target of $700 million. The $700 million contribution to the GDP by 2030 is not solely on the back of the people in the crop sector, we intend to make a meaningful dent… the calculations have been made, we are looking at at least $47 million increase every year…

Hon. Jullan Defoe, Minister of State for Agriculture and Fisheries.

The minister said a census of the number of fishermen conducted in 2008 revealed an average age of 53; and a 2011 census showed an average age of 47. He said the Ministry of Agriculture was working on the census in 2017, but hurricane events damaged government files and everything was lost. He said another census is in the works and he is positive that the statistics will reveal that more youths are now engaged in fishing more than ever.

Defoe said more youths are registering to be trained for fishery business and that this will boost self-employment and meet national food targets. He tasked youths to explore growing opportunities in agriculture and fishery, saying it is a sector that keeps feeding the nation. “Agriculture and the fisheries sector are there, take advantage of it and we will create additional opportunities,” he stated.

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