PM Roosevelt Skerrit has declared that his government will increase its investment in the agricultural sector to boost food security in the country. He said his administration will expand and upgrade agricultural inputs while also helping farmers to build wealth through agriculture. He stated this during an interactive pre-budget consultation meeting with agricultural stakeholders recently.
According to Skerrit, crop and livestock farmers will be able to build wealth through agriculture when the government increases its engagement in the sector. He noted that agriculture is a top-earner and capable of boosting the country’s GDP if taken to the next level. He urged Dominicans to grow their own food and consume locally produced items, adding that this is the only way to retain Dominica’s wealth in Dominica.
The prime minister and DLP leader noted that foreign products should only be purchased when there is no local alternative. He clarified that relying on foreign goods drain the country of needed funds – funds that should otherwise be ploughed back into the economy for national growth.
Meanwhile, the warehouse manager at the Dominica Agricultural Producers and Exporters Limited (DAPEX), Oliver St. Jean, has urged farmers to exercise patience in obtaining the farming materials they requested for. He said the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of some companies manufacturing farming implements and led to delay in receiving placed orders across international boundaries.
St. Jean said the Ministry of Agriculture is working hard to ensure that farmers receive agricultural materials they want in due course. He agreed that the timeline promised for delivering the materials had been extended, but this development is outside the ministry’s control. He said the government is still committed to fulfilling all promises made under the PIU projects as soon as possible.
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