Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Movement; workshop held for farmers in Dominica

The US government held a fresh produce market linkage workshop in Dominica on Tuesday through the US Agency for International Development (USAID). They organized this workshop in collaboration with Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC).

This national-level workshop was a part of the Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Movement- CAPA. Senior Government officials adorned the event. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and related sectors like fisheries and blue and green economy marked their presence. Private sector enterprises, agricultural producers and partner organizations from around the globe participated. Altogether, they assured their support to CAPA.

The CAPA program will teach the local Dominican farmers methods to increase their supply. They will learn to form networks among buyers, suppliers and farmers, hence teaching them to improve their farm-level extension.

The supporters of the CAPA program outlined the need to support smallholder farmers as this will facilitate their integration into the supply chain.

CAPA in an initiative under PACC2030 and is a flagship partnership between US and Caribbean Government addressing the climate change and environment issues. Additionally, CAPA focuses on food security and the upliftment of smallholder farmers in Dominica. They provide assistance in financing local farmers.

Sandiford Edward, Program Director IESC outlined how CAPA initiatives will benefit Dominica. This will include teaching farmers about various economic aspects of farming. ‘Farming as a business’, establishing demonstration farms, and capacity building for financial institutions will be some of the major areas of training.

Dr Casimir emphasized on the need of targeted interventions in agriculture to develop climate resilient agricultural methods. He also highlighted major government initiatives like the windward island trade corridor for root crops and funding opportunities. He also appreciated the swift response of USAID for holding the workshop.

Along with Dominica, CAPA is also being implemented in Barbados, Grenada, Suriname, Guyana, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines. It will hold similar events in Southern and Eastern Caribbean region.

Owing to such workshops being held under CAPA the financial conditions of smallholder farmers are supposed to get better and it will also ensure their integration in the larger supply chain system.