The construction of a Coffee Processing Plant in Dominica is expected to move one step closer, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Dominica and Venezuela.
While not being specific on the date for the actual signing of the MOU, Agriculture Minister Matthew Walter told a press conference on Friday that a Coffee Plant will soon be established in One Mile Portsmouth and a Coffee Rehabilitation Programme will be launched.
“We have the equipment here and we have cleared the site. The only hiccup now is with the MOU. The MOU has been finalized, but it has not been signed. We expect signing to take place between now and two weeks,” he added
He also urged farmers to maintain current coffee plantations and expand cultivation where possible.
The construction of a Cofee Processing Plant for Dominica was announced by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on his second visit to the island last year.
– DNO Correspondent
How long ago did Chavez announce the building of a coffee plant in Dominica? It is a few months now the equipment has arrived on island, but Minister now talks of Memorandum of Understanding finalized but will take maybe another two weeks before it is signed.
Dominicans will not see any copy of that MOU, just like we will never see the one signed by the GOVTs of Dominica and China. Even though people seek to have access to that agreement or MOU, or go on bended knees to Govt. to get a copy to know what the MOU entails, it will be in vain to obtain that document. No freedom of information Act in Dominica. But they repeat information is key to a nation’s development, while they keep the very information that would enlighten people close to their chest and to themselves
Mr. Walter if you or other Govt official is going to sign an MOU on behalf of the people why not let the people know what it is about? Is it a secret? Does the MOU have to be a secret agreement due to security reasons? Tell Dominicans Mr. Minister if they will have access to that MOU. Mr. PM and other DLP persons, why should Dominicans be disallowed from seeing, reading, or accessing an MOU which is signed ON THEIR BEHALF? If it is simply your business then no one should know, but you all sign on behalf of the people of Dominica, a nation, yet there is a stubbornness not to let people know about those agreements that will impact their lives. Do you trust the people? are you all open with the people? What do you all understand by Govt for the people, by the people, with the people?
Minister of Agriculture? The Minister and Ministry of Agriculture have not carried out any survey as to the acreage planted in coffee at present before accepting the coffee plant The Dominican people were not consulted and I wonder if the ministry was apprised of that. Any efficient or knowledgeable Agriculture Minister would first get the approval of his Ministry and other stakeholders, especially the farmers, before accepting such an offer Mr. Walter looks like he is not even convinced that a coffee plant is what Dominica now needs. Beggars are no choosers? Were the people of Portsmouth consulted as to the area where the plant will be erected, the benefits to be derived etc. etc.
Dominicans internet is at your disposal. Do a Google search, ‘cocaine hidden among coffee exports’ and read for yourself. ‘ WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE’ is totally correct. The US and European countries have stepped up surveillance, and alerted their customs as well as Ministries of Trade regarding shipments of coffee, especially from Latin, South and Central America. Tons of cocaine are being smuggled among coffee shipments destined for those countries.
Where is our sovereignty? Chavez has shown Dominicans, irrespective of his financial help to the country, that he is willing to throw his ideas down our throats. Before you knew it, after Chavez made the statement on a visit here in the absence of any consultation, some old second-hand equipment was quickly shipped from Venezuela. Dominicans saw the state of the equipment that arrived. Remember the intention of building an oil refinery in the Nature Isle? It was Chavez’s idea. He was planning for Dominica and wanted to execute his plan pronto.
A section of Dominicans seem to have no problem with such approaches. Mr. Walters , no questions asked, just blindly accepted on behalf of Dominicans he say, who knew nothing about that project. Dominicans did not sanction the project. In fact many have been questioning why a coffee plant and not a multi-purpose agro-processing plant.
But as usual, the people have no say in such matters that affect their lives. People do not come first for those politicians. Beggars are no choosers. Up to now the same Minister cannot convince Dominicans with figures or facts regarding how feasible is that project, apart from his colleagues and supporters who tend to question nothing and agree with everything DLP does, rightly or wrongly. Our institutions are in trouble. Our Ministry of Agriculture was never in the picture. It was bypassed. It surely was not the Ministry’s idea or plan. Well Matthew said it is his last term. Does he care what happens to our agriculture and what direction it takes? Agriculture is seriously on the decline, farms are being abandoned daily, food insecurity on the rise in a land of plenty water and rich soil. On the other side of the coin, drugs like cocaine is now a household item which continues to paro our youths. A few are making plenty $$$$$$$$$$. Who cares? Heck with Agriculture, COCAINE have plenty more money. Imagine where Dominica is heading with those kinds of thinking, political immaturity and mendicant attitudes. We like it so. Were it not for the constant advocacy by right thinking Dominicans and ardent lovers of their environment, who felt strongly that erecting an oil refinery would do much more harm than good, Chavez and the present Govt would have their way and fulfill their plans of building oil refinery. All kinds of excuses were put forward even by persons charged to protect our fragile environment.
Where the fence is low everyone can jump over, no questions asked. Is so we come? En, Is so we come? Dominicans, my people is so we come? We come so foolish we cannot even think for ourselves? Others have to do it for us?
Walter, GOOD MOVE,,, finally someone is doing something about coffee in DA, imagine this is a product on the worldwide stock exchange and ours was just being wasted.
Walter I am so proud of you and what you do for Dominicans. I live out of DA but was at Teachers college with you and I know you are passionate about what you believe in. I was in your constituency last year and everyone one I meet had great things to say about you.
kudoos!!!!!!!! keep working for your people
Here is a friend indeed. Thank God for Chavez. Whatever his difficulties at home, that is of no consequence for us. Chavez has demonstarted that he is a friend of Dominica.
On the other hand, Iam hungry and is seeking food. My friend who is able to assist me has refused to do so. He monitors my next move from behind wooden glasses it would seem. He then turn around turn around and demand that I refuse the food I need so badly simply because the person who is now offering me the food is his enemy – or so he says.
Can you imagine “Uncle SAM” has refused to assist our police with specialized forensic experise to investigate a strnage murder. Can you imagine the US officials close by say that they are unable to assist? So then why get vex when Chavez assists us? You have chosen not to.
I hope there is a lot of other work being done behind the scene. To make a statement “urged farmers to maintain current coffee plantations and expand cultivation where possible” is not good enough. There has to be more meat on the bones of this statement.
When is the plant die to start production?
What price are they expected to get for their coffeee?
What is the cost of production vs. the price?
How much coffee should they grow to make it worth their while?
Who will look after the marketing and sale of the product once it is harvested? Remember what happened when the government told farmers to grow plantains?
Unless there is a comprehensive plan to take this beyond “grow more coffee”, I would stand pat and wait. Too many questions not answered. But I gotta think there is more information behind that plan to process coffee in DA. That would be the only reasonable thing to expect.
It has boggled my mind for quite some time as to why coffee. How many farmers actually grow coffee in Dominica? Is it a viable market? Is it a feasible venture? Wouldn t a FOOD PROCESSING PLANT have been the better more sustainable option for Dominica? With our abundance of mangoes, tamarind, guavas etc. But lo and behold Dominicans; COFFEE BEANS have been used to mask the detection of COCAINE on numerous occasions. The strong aroma of coffee beans make it very difficult to detect the presence of cocaine… But don t take my word for it. Read for yourselves.
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/674425-record-30m-haul-of-cocaine-found-in-british-lorry
http://www.allbusiness.com/manufacturing/food-manufacturing-food-coffee-tea/133395-1.html
Let s not further sell our precious little island …., too many of our fathers, brothers and friends have ALREADY died.
WAKE UP!!!!!!!!
Look like some critics want the factory and still want the government to plant the coffee..So sick
Progress , and job creation we need in Dominica. thats a good move on behalf of the Government. hope that Dominican men and wemen can get some work off it.
FARMERS STEP UP…GOOD MOVE.
Can that expression or deal be broken down, ” MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING” I do not get
the juice from it. It was also made between China and Dominica.
I JUS NEED TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS; WILL BELLO STOP COFFEE PRODUCTION? ARE WE GOING TO IMPORT COFFEE FROM SOUTH AMERICA TO PRODUCE A FINISH PRODUCT? WAS ANY MARKET RESEARCH DONE PRIOR TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY CHAVEZ? HOW MANY FARMER IN DOMINICA CURRENTLY PRODUCE COFFEE? ARE OUR EXTENTION OFFICERS BEING TRAIN IN THE AREA OF OF COFFEE PRODUCTION? IS THERE A N EDUCTION PRGRAMME ABOUT COFFEE PRODUCTION? WHAT IS THE EXPECTED PRODUCTION OF SUCH A PLANT? WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ARE WE GOING TO ENCOUNTER? ***** REM WE IMPORT EVERYTHING THESE DAYS,,,,,,,,,,,,,, SO MANY QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED
Personally you should ship those pieces of scrap metal back to Hugo. And sure make he pay the freight charges for shipping them back.
Pathetic… you are Idiotic.
Ignorance is the downfall of this country.
that is good.!!
Yeah, it’s the best part of waking up, with Folgers in your cup.
Lol… that one hit me… I had to laugh. It sounds like a good thing but I hope this doesn’t come with a catch!!!
What doesn’t?