Roseau, Dominica – November 7, 2008……….Minister for Trade, Senator, Dr. Colin McIntyre has highlighted the collaborative work between the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade and other partners to ensure that Dominica has the quantum and quality supplies to service both the domestic and export markets.
Hon. McIntyre made the disclosure at one of the signature events of the Reunion Independence 2008 activities- Market Day with a Difference in Roseau last Saturday.
According to Dr. McIntyre, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Consumer and Diaspora Affairs has collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture, the USAID sponsored Caribbean Trade and Expansion Project (CTEP), JHB International & Finance SA and other public and private sector stakeholders to provide an effective package of crop development, input support, technical advice and market development support to Dominica’s farmers.
The Minister also highlighted under initiatives and programmes :
Ø Farmers have been introduced to new technology. Under its CTEP programme, DEXIA is contracting ten (10) acres of hot peppers under irrigation
Ø Government has also contributed some $400,000 to go towards the rehabilitation of cocoa. A new cocoa processing plant will be constructed as part of this process
Ø Government is continuing to invest in the upgrade of the market to ensure that the facility remains open and accessible to farmers and vendors
Ø As a result of interventions by the Government, dasheen, hot pepper and cocoa farmers now have stable markets for their produce and are guaranteed of weekly incomes
Ø Under the EU funded Business Gateway programme, resources are being made available for agribusiness development as part of an overall strategy to enhance the competitiveness of the export sector
Ø The legislative framework and quality management infrastructure required to help secure minimum food safety and quality standards for our food exports are falling in place
Ø The Bureau of Standards has prepared several pieces of legislation in relation to fresh produce and labelling and packaging
Ø With funds from the European Union, work is ongoing on two multi-purpose packing houses in Roseau and Portsmouth.
Market Day with a Difference in Roseau took place on Saturday, November 1, 2008. The event was attended by President of Dominica, His Excellency, Dr. Nicholas Liverpool, Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Members of Cabinet, CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Edwin Carrington, Manager of DEXIA, Mr. Gregoire Thomas, Chairman of the DEXIA Board of Directors, Mrs. Margaret George among other stakeholders.
