A number of farmers are presently engaged in a one-day consultation to discuss their views on feeder roads in Dominica.
According to a report by the European Union (EU) in 2009, under 70 percent of feeder roads in Dominica are in bad condition.
At least 14 feeder roads across the island need immediate attention.
Speaking at the opening session held at the Fisheries Complex in Roseau on Tuesday, Erickson Lewis, from the Ministry of Public Works, Energy and Ports said about 73.386 Kilometers of extremely critical farm access roads will be addressed through the Banana Accompanying Measure (BAM).
“Construction of feeder roads improves access to our farms, it provides safer products to the market, it improves commerce, it gives security and safety in our work undertaking,” he said.
Lewis went on to say that government is looking at investing some initial funds in the Salisbury Height feeder road, which is in a bad state, and requires improvement.
Meanwhile, representative of BAM, Angus McIntyre said, “The Ministry of Agriculture submitted almost about 27 roads to us … the road has to be done in light with funds that are available.”
According to McIntyre, BAM is a program that will provide the financial assistance needed to remedy the feeder roads.
Head of Extension in the Division of Agriculture, Felix Leslie said agricultural development is based on many things including feeder roads.
“As we look around the country we will agree that there is a great level of deterioration where the feeder roads are concerned and many factors have led into that,” he explained.
From an extension standpoint, he stated, that there are much more feeder roads in Dominica, “but where we are now, we know economic constraints, we are looking at the major roads.”
“From my opinion and my point of view and knowing what the farmers are going through out there, I would like to see all the roads rehabilitated and redeveloped, but that may not be possible,” he stated. “So it is important that we analyze and do some economic analysis as it relates to what is going to take place on the ground.”
Service Industry + Feeder Road = Oxymoron
Johno + Agriculture = Oxymoron
El Supremo @ Dominicans, Morons!!!
Headlines farmers attend meeting to talk about feeder roads .Did they leave their mouths at home ?or their words were not important ? Looking back to passed years banana shipment took three days,people left government jobs to work for D B G A SPRAYING OF THE FIELDS was a full job .today I see one or two pickups going to longhouse , reception is from 2pm to 7pm What happened ? Today there are more thieves in the farming industry than there are farmers and it seems to me that they are given a free run by society. something needs to be done by those in authority
It´s all about Global Citizenship and nothing more. A small CABAL taking all de benefits . We go see!
Why would there be consultation with the farmers to get their view on feeder roads when according to the EU, 70% of the feeder roads need to be repaired. Just get on with the damn task of fixing the roads and stop wasting time with meaningless consultation.
It seems like the only intention here is to make people believe that something is being done when in fact you guys have run out of ideas and is currently running on empty.
Get on with the task of fixing the road. Less talk and more action. Good God, what will it take for these officials to get motivated so they can be humble civil servants and get on with the job and give their best?
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/venezuela-betraying-friends-survive-193500080.html
we all know the state of the feeder roads in this country,so why the talk shop? i thought the minister of agriculture called for less talk and more action? i think that the govt. may have it’s priorities wrong.
Come on guys, Election is over now is time for nation building. at least they are talking about agriculture
Dominica with it rich fertile soil, i wish we still had those with a fertile brain to make use of the opportunities that are being afforded and quite politizing everything the Government is propossing for the Farmers.
“Head of Extension in the Division of Agriculture, Felix Leslie said agricultural development is based on many things including feeder roads.
Mr. Leslie, I hope Skerrit and his team don’t make you suffer for this statement, though you spoke the truth. I believe Skerrit will penalize anyone that gives support to farmers especially when he is trying to transfer our economy from agriculture to off shore banking. Remember when he gave that Brumant guy from Vieille case, residing in the east that top position in agriculture when he was no where close to being as qualified as you were?
So all that talk during election was a sham.
Basically de PM and his team were really pulling wool over our eyes….how much feeder roads were promised..dat government is so wicked!
A 1day discussion? Are we serious?
I NOTICE THAT THERE WAS NO INPUT BY THE FARMERS.
NOT 1 WORD!
De government officials sound empty and uninspiring.
ALAS!
De PM took a field trip to Salisbury heights……hooray!
That’s all de empty agricultural technicians can talk about.
Look at our farmers faces…..not amused!!!!
Okay so is there any other important feeder road that can be named with confidence?
De minister of Agriculture didn’t attend?
De director of Agriculture didn’t attend?
Thanks for reporting….very disappointed
Best we just sell passports.
Sounds like an easier perhaps even more profitable venture.
De country not nice!!!
not wool, a concret wall over bigots eyes, not mine
allu you have to much laylay, while skerrit telling de international community that he, not we, are moving away from agriculture and placing emphasis on the service sector… so we will be putting off shore banks in all nuke and cranny in dominica.
allu beating up allu self on feeder roads, good luck