Communities in the north and north east of the country will soon have more opportunities for sustainable employment, a reduction in poverty and an increase in the quality and quantity of agricultural produce.
The ‘Productive Employment’ funded by the Organization of American States (OAS) development cooperation fund was launched on Wednesday July 29th.
The over US $130,000 project is being implemented by the Ministry of Trade with support from the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and Investment.
Dennis Moses is the OAS representative.
“On April 27, 2015, the management board of the Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and Development of the OAS approved a contribution from the OAS’ Development Cooperation Fund of about EC $350,000 in support of the implementation of a programme for productive employment in Dominica,” he said. “The agreement sets out the terms and conditions for the execution of the programme, he said, “As well as disbursement of funds to enable implementation.”
The project will seek to establish farmer field schools in the north and north east, a database for the National Employment Programme, and a hydroponics demonstration facility to introduce the technology and techniques to farmers.
Hon. Minister for Planning, Economic Development and Investment, Dr. Colin Mcintyre, says the project forms part of Government’s plan to reduce poverty and unemployment.
He said, “We speak of areas like Penville, Paix Bouche, Calibishie and most of the northern farming communities.”
As it relates to the hydroponics demonstration facility the plan is to “train at least 10 participants as trainers during the pilot phase,” Dr. McIntyre said.
Apart from the establish of the farmers field school, the project is expected to provide innovation in agriculture, train a cadre of young people for the work force, and certify participants for the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).
Implementation of the project is expected to come to a close in September 2016.
One of the real problems with the GIS releases is the continued use of exaggeration plus fuzzy and meaningless language.
From the grand sum of $130,000 we are told that ” Communities… will SOON have more opportunities for SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT, a REDUCTION IN POVERTY and an INCREASE in the QUALITY and QUANTITY of AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE.” Is this some kind of a joke?
Given that agriculture has become the poor cousins of government spending, farmers are expected to be grateful for any crumbs thrown our way. But the reality is that $130,000 is hardly enough to build a proper ” hydroponics facility” much less establish ” farmer field schools in the north and north east”
It has become customary for our politicians to promise us manna from heaven when they speak to the press or in conversation with the constituents, but a GIS release should have some semblance of reality. After all!
You UWPites can’t be satisfied with anything at all since the initiative does not come from you all side. You ALL seem to have a plaster for every sore but none can heal the wound. Isn’t half a loaf better than no bread at all?
“about EC $350,000 in support of the implementation of a programme for productive employment in Dominica,” he said.”
To build a house in Dominica (not a 16 X 12 shack) I was told cost near seven hundred thousand East Caribbean dollars: I wonder how many people will $EC 350,000 dollars employ, and for how long? Some weddings in California cost poor people more than three hundred fifty thousand dollars in American money. That’s just another joke, over peanut change!
To establish farmer field schools in the north and north east, will any of the participants be able to earn $100,00.00 net in a year, Socialism will continue to keep Dominica poor.
You need to leave citizens alone and lower taxes and they will prosper.
chump change (EC$350,000). After the consultants take their share, how much do you really think will be left to actually make a meaningful impact in the communities (not just one) in the north and north east? drop a US$5 mil at least if you want to start to see real transformation. These days you cannot even build a decent house with less than EC$300,000.
but then again, half a bread is better than no bread.
but whose mouth the bread feeding?
was thinking the same thing
i would like to know how much goes towards the consultants
vs funding the participants after their training.