Local agro-processors are reaping the benefits of training and equipment supplied by the European Union-funded Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) programme.
This was done in conjunction with the Invest Dominica Authority (IDA) and Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA), whose members are the beneficiaries. These two organisations are parties to a Memorandum of Understanding also signed by the National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD), Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA) and the Dominica Bureau of Standards, with each entity pledging to provide support to the agro-processing members of the DMA in order make local agro-processed products more marketable to international markets.
Agro-processors in Dominica are typically small to medium scaled and produce beverages, condiments, cosmetics, and essential oils which contribute significantly to forward and backward linkages within the economy. Farming communities and rural areas especially benefit from the positive socioeconomic impacts of these linkages.
The general objective of the BAM programme is to achieve sustained growth in production and exports of the agricultural sector, thus providing increased income for producers and exporters and contributing to employment, poverty reduction, and rural development; as well as social, environmental, and economic stability.
According to the National Authorising Officer for the European Development Fund, Miss Carleen Roberts, in order that this objective be achieved, it is necessary to address the underlying weakness relating to commercial competitiveness and low productivity.
“Through the strengthening of entrepreneurial and technological development and innovation, as well as the implementation of quality standards, we should see a positive trend where competitiveness and productivity are concerned.”
Over a series of consultations with local stakeholders, such as the Dominica Bureau of Standards and the NDFD, it was found that agro-processors face several challenges with their expansion and development, including non-compliance with global standards, due to weaknesses in food safety/management systems (resulting in poor product quality), and difficulty sourcing raw materials and packaging supplies.
In 2016, the NDFD facilitated training for 15 agro-processors in customer service, marketing, record keeping, financial accounting, and management systems. This capacity building exercise, valued at XCD$58,920.00, is a direct effort to positively impact the skills and abilities of these agro-processors, and by extension, their production efforts.
An additional XCD$851,705.19 (€287,400.65) was spent on the procurement of equipment to be distributed among selected DMA members. The equipment received included: juicers/extractors, blender, mixers, heavy-duty can openers, sealers, stoves/ovens, stainless steel stock pots, storage vessels, counters/worktables, racks, convection air dryers, commercial refrigerator and freezers, refractometers, pH meters, buffer solutions, timers, scales and thermometers, semi-automatic jar capper, labelling machines, and a shrink wrap tunnel machine.
The equipment was provided to 10 private enterprises in the food and beverage sub-sector to enhance their production and export-readiness. They are: 3rd Wheel Beverages, Banilo Cereal, Big G’s Pepper Sauce, Caribbean Agro Producers, MT&M Variety Products, Nature Islanders Products, Ri-Os Granola, Sure Life Sava, Tallie’s Pot, and Tony’s Punch. Three schools, the Trafalgar Primary, Portsmouth Secondary and Dominica State College, also received equipment through this initiative. Additionally, equipment was provided to one cosmetic company, Coal Pot Soaps, as well as the National Centre for Testing Excellence.
Recipients are excited about the expected production improvements from the equipment received. According to Royston Daniel of Ri-Os granolas, who received a fire mixer, cooling table and convection oven, his production capacity has now increased tenfold.
“It’s created a possibility for me to broaden my market reach, my market scope. Right now it has increased my capacity from doing between a hundred to two hundred bars a day to the possibility of a thousand bars per day, which is much larger output than what I am doing right now. So my scope now, which is the Roseau catchment area, has actually increased to the entire island and possibly even outside of the island. So this equipment has really advanced the business, created larger possibilities for the business and sky’s the limit.”
Shayan Monelle, Investment Officer at IDA and a DMA executive, is encouraged by such testaments and encourages agro-processors to apply the training received and use the equipment responsibly.
“Both the IDA and DMA expect that beneficiaries will make maximum use of these inputs. The best way these producers can show their thanks to the EU is by increasing production and improving quality and contributing to economic development,” he states.
Most producers sell their products at the Buy Dominica Superstore located in the Roseau Market. Their number is 448-3460.
we looking like beggars if this is what we highlight
the word is bomb. a bum is a posterior, or a vagrant. i also see scales and the freezer looks new.
Why are we taking money from these EU Commissioner bandits? These crooks have the whole of the Eurozone in ‘austerity’ mode with more than 50% unemployment in Spain, Greece and Italy alone and utility prices that are rising by the day.
Yet still the want to gain their ‘good guys’ image by stealing from Peter to pay Paul.
Totally disgusting. We should demand that all the money they put our way be spent on the needy in the Eurozone within which they have imposed their austerity measures.
Don’t take their money.
The equipment provided by overseas aid will significantly help Dominica’s small scale Agro-processors. However, there is much more that could be done in-house given a team of innovative and highly skilled mechanical engineers.
For this to happen we need a bona fide apprentice training scheme. And a skill cannot be learnt in six weeks: it takes six years – and then some.
you will be contacted when the time approaches Mr. Burnette. Hopefully your rates wont be sky high.
Small but tangible contribution . Hope Shayan’s Monelle’s advise in heeded.
So pots are now referred to as equipment?
anything involved in a process, unless it is a raw or packaging material or machinery can be referred to as equipment. It means that you are equipped, to do the job. IF what you need to adequately produce is pots, then it will be categorized as equipment. Machinery however has its own category. usually, the two are linked as one bracket (equipment and machinery). that can include safety equipment such as hard hats and boots and respirators, or testing equipment like meters, or production equipment like pots.
Great contribution to economic development. I applaud all those involved and making this possible. Proud to be Dominican…
I have had the opportunity to taste a few of these manufacturers products and I must say they are of very high quality. Keep up the good work folks. More strength and God’s blessings to you all.
A personal blender and two bum?
Please take time to read.. Here let me help you:
“An additional XCD$851,705.19 (€287,400.65) was spent on the procurement of equipment to be distributed among selected DMA members. The equipment received included: juicers/extractors, blender, mixers, heavy-duty can openers, sealers, stoves/ovens, stainless steel stock pots, storage vessels, counters/worktables, racks, convection air dryers, commercial refrigerator and freezers, refractometers, pH meters, buffer solutions, timers, scales and thermometers, semi-automatic jar capper, labelling machines, and a shrink wrap tunnel machine.”