PM Roosevelt Skerrit asks farmers to increase production ahead of international airport

Roseau: Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit advised farmers to grow more produces as the air connectivity to Dominica is expected to increase because of international airport.Dominica Ministry of Agriculture held discussions on Value Chain stakeholders. Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, Parliament Representative Melissa Skerrit, Agriculture Minister Fidel Grant also participated in the consultations. He said the government would establish an agro market and promote the sale of Dominican products in the region. PM said the intention to create Agricultural Development Authority would mandate the linking the production to market in order to research and development. It will also provide financing to support the commercialization of agricultural production and agro-business. PM said Agricultural Development Authority would comprise of both public and private sector interests. "Now is the right time to bring this organization into effect; the construction of the international airport will also allow us to expand market reach. In order to satisfy the demands which will be created by increased air access, we must prepare now,". He also promoted the farming of bell-peppers, strawberries, cantaloupe, blueberries and cauliflower. PM said with the growth of these fruits, Dominica can reduce imports and become self-reliant.The consultations talked about how to build more robust value chain relationships to promote food security and achieve sustainable growth in the agriculture sector. 

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Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit stated that there is a need for frank conversations among all stakeholders to address the current state of production. "Based on the recurring discussions with farmers, consumers the, I believe there is a vast disconnect in our general approach to production and sale. As a government, we have therefore decided on targeted interventions in the sector to assist enterprises to source, produce and connect to the market," said PM Skerrit.He stated that interventions are intended to enhance the business and entrepreneurship capacities of farmers, fishers and small agro-processors across Dominica. "We must be more coordinated in our efforts to march our productions to the local and regional demands," said PM Skerrit. Furthermore, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit stated that the government would continue their support to farmers, such as facilitating machinery, equipment, supplies and construction. He said under $22 million grant improvements of roads in many communities across Dominica is undergoing. PM said Dominica is doing well in the production of Dasheen, Yam, Plantains, and there is the potential of a vast increase in sales of Dominican produce abroad.