United Workers Party (UWP) leader Edison James has hit out at Agriculture Minister Matthew Walter, charging that the minister “does not understand the essentials of proper planning for production and marketing of agricultural crops”.
The UWP leader has taken issue with the minister’s “boastful statement” that there is an over production of certain root crops and plantains at this time.
“There is over production where a crop is produced which the farmer is unable to sell or to market,” James said in a statement pointing out that a major role of the Ministry, under the direction and control of Mr. Walter, is to ensure that production volumes are linked with markets.
“This empty boast by Mr. Walter is a public confession that he, his Ministry and his Government, have seriously failed the farmers, the important agricultural sector and the people of this country on a whole,” UWP leader James said in his statement.
He added that his United Workers Party has constantly stressed its commitment to adopt a policy in which farmers will be assisted to produce their crops under contractual arrangements which include ensuring a secure market and the direct purchase of the crops when necessary.
In 1996 the american representative at the (WTO)World Trading Organisation Mickey Kantor, complained that Chiquita brands of bananas,the american banana multi-national was the victim of discrimination by European tariffs which allowed a trickle of Caribbean/African bananas,the day after Mr Kantor spoke up for the principles of free trade the billionaire who owns Chiquita Carl Lindner gave half a million US Dollars to the Clinton campaing fund,thereafter the tycoon was invited by President Bill Clinton to stay overnight at the white house, the action by the americans was widely know as political gangsterism, so mr James the demise of the banana industry is not the fault the current agricultur minister, our economy was based on a single product bananas, now the americans have killed bananas,reinvent Dominica,rather than bickering among ourselves we should be concentrating with housing,education,jobs, and infrastructure and bring prosperity to our people whoever is in power!
My caribbean people we have an inflock of chinese doing business all over the caribbean. I would like to know if he Government has ever taken the time to investigate the products that are being brought into the country. Some of the products are what America and the other European countries are elimating from their stores. Someof the products are tainted with lead and other chemicals that are harmful to our bodies. They might be selling cheap things but they are not worth the money that we spend at the doctor’s office. Take a good look at the foods you buy from their restaurant. I would like the Govenment to take a good look at the products that come into our country. Ask for assistance from the other countries to find out what products they are refusing so that we don’t buy them. We cannot be bought. These people are only there to make money they don’t care about us. Take note THEY DON’T EAT WHAT THEY SELL. Much love!
the minister taking every thing be for the farmers.he took all the lumber in long house to make pig pen he take the passionfruit wire and know he is competing with the local farmers . he took those green houses and the farmers cannot even get one . wat a shame . the man pushing out the little farmers and runnig the plantain maeket. magwa sa…..
Mr.James,Please lay out your plan.
Even if Eddison lay his plan out, only labour plan you can read, I have seen and hear about uwp/eddison plan, only you’ll who doesn’t want to know, know nothing!!
The performance of mr James from 1995 to 2000 when farmers made their own money and had savings in the bank is more emperical evidence than any plan.
Thanks Eddo now get back in the house
The PS of Agriculture needs to be removed!!! He too has no understanding of agriculture.
shut up do you know where the ps is from moron…do you know his background dotish…
He is from Cottage and he knows nothing ….not a patat…..about agriculture. I know him too well. Square pegs in round holes.
The Minister’s statement underscores that he does not understand the economics of production. An ”over production” (I take it to mean a surplus or glut) means that the export and domestic market cannot absorb all of a good that is produced. The excess of supply over market demand means a waste of the input resources that went into producing the good. To get rid of the surplus, the producer will have to sell at a price below his cost of production to induce people to buy. Since the farmer is selling below his cost, he is making a loss. So, I do not see why Matthew Walter is celebrating ”overproduction.” Then again, he does not understand agriculture even at a basic economics level.
These are the kind of comments I expect to see from the opposition. Constructive criticism. I tend to agree with Mr. James boasting overproduction is boasting the fact that u\you did not secure markets for the crops and are not advising farmers to decrease production of overproduced crops.
I, too, agree that Mr. James’ criticism is constructive. The Minister must seek additional markets for the farmers and institute a market intelligence system that will bring supply in line with the market demand.
I have been a farmer all my life and did so under all administrations we have had. To be fair about it, although I would not consider myself to be a UWPite or Labourite, if I am going to give Jack his Jacket, Farmers did much better under Edison James than any other administrations we have had. In fact they did much better than my then Freedom Party.
Don’t forget how difficult it was for a farmer to get a loan to by a sheet of galvanize let alone, a lone to send their poor child to school. It was under Eddo’s administration all that changed. Also, farmers could not afford pick up trucks; it was Eddo that made it possible when he gave farmers duty free concession on Pick-up trucks.
No doubt, if we are fair to our country, we will all agree that Matthew Walter is the worse minister of agriculture we have had in Dominica if not in the Windward Island. Skeritt knows that and since his administration is the worse farmers administration we have had, then sending his long time foe, Matthew to completely destroy agriculture was a very easy decision for him.
The facts do not support your view that farmers did better under the UWP admin than that of the Freedom Party. You forgot the banana boom of the 1980s? You forgot that 1988 was the best year ever for agriculture? You forgot that there were farmers who purchased their vehicles from their own pockets without going to a bank for a loan? You forgot the number of new feeder roads that were constructed?You forget the new areas that were opened for agricultural production by the then Govt through leasing?You forgot the innovations attempted in agriculture like the introduction of new crops by the Taiwanese and prawn farming?Your forgot the many attempts at diversification (including horticulture and tree crops) during the latter part of the 1980s and early 1990s?
A careful analysis of the statistics from the Central Statistical Office shows that the agricultural sector started its long term decline in the mid 1990s.
again mr Herd not follower…. it was mr james that was the head of dbmc during these times of great results you talk about
The statistics will show that the changes in the UK market started affectecting the export volumes of bananas at the end of 80s early 90s , there was a slow down in the slide during the period 95 to 2000 despite the fact that threer were som three or four hurricanes duuring that time. The stats will also show that from 95 the UWP met the non banana crop export at just $8 million they left it at over $27 million. Facts are stubborn things, but let us agree that with what was stated above , THAT PERIOD WAS BETTER FOR FARMERS. THERE IS NO NEED TO TRY TO SCORE POINTS ON THAT. ALSO the UWP guys understood and appreciated AGRICUTURE.
Now i can see an opposition in this country. Whenever you criticize, have recommendations to back it up. It’s amazing how human always see what should be done, when they are not in control, and when they are in control they don’t do anything about it. It’s sad to say that as a young Dominican i have never voted, and up to this day i am looking for a party to support. A political party that has this county at heart. From my perspective agriculture is the heart beat of this Island, and as long as the heart is not functional the other body parts fail. WE have not developed as a tourism destination, we boast of
Eco tourism, but that’s not enough. You will be surprise that most of the other Caribbean island has eco tourism too. We need to really focus on our agricultural sector, and have person representing us , that knows about agriculture, and has a heart for it. Agriculture is not all about planting vegetation, and going to the local market on a Saturday and try selling your produce. I believe that every farmer in Dominica should be able to sell both locally and internationally on a weekly basis. I have realized that we are the bread basket of the whole northern Caribbean: Antigua, Tortola etc. what wrong in proper managing and controlling our food products, by proper branding and marketing. What wrong with food processing and packaging, where farmers and non farmers could gain employment. When I see all these things put in place by any political party, I can faithfully put an X. so far I am not impressed by any of the political parties here in this country. (And please do something about the high duties at the port). Its killing the nation.
(Its my opinion dominicans so dont bash me)
president:: i totally agree with you!! you make me want to read more news!!!! well said
Very, very well put. Alas, for lack of vision from all and sundry. Dominica’s ONLY, yes only saving grace is in agriculture. And the Minister has no clue.
edo is right, matthew is asleep as he always is…agriculture in dominica has a head stone from the Dominica Labour Party.
Matthew Walter actualy did the costing of the head stone for Agriculture…
True facts Edo!
Okay here is my problem with the UWP. How the hell do you expect people to vote you back in power when you give no indication what changes you will bring to the table. Dominica needs another opposition that will both oppose and bring solutions to the table. All UWP does is oppose and bring nothing to the table…
if you want to make suggestions go to parliament mr.eddison.there they will hear you.
that’s just BANANAS!!!!!!!
Dominicans speak on every and any topic and just slander people. If you all knew anything about Bananas and the state of the econonmy under Edison James you all would not wear your badge of political ignorance so proudly.Edison James revitalized the banana industry as Chairman of DBMC, completely and under his watch farmers of Dominica enjoyed their largest profit margins. Bananas were the king, so much so that Eugenia Charles increased the intake per 1.00 from 3cents to 15 cents on every dollar for the treasury.
It’s important that we speak the truth on issues and stop getting carried away with politics. Farmers were walking into banks independently and taking loans, buying up land, educating their children and employing others. It was a time as never seen before in Dominica. Even the late Eugenia praised Eddison even though in the end when he decided to become a politician she lied and claimed he wanted$7 grand for salary and started fussing. She did this because she realised he had the farmers of Dominica behind him. The man is farmer, Mathew Walters is always crying. He doesn’t know anything about agriculture much less managing the industry. It almost seem as if he was sent there as a punishment. The very staff at the ministry are laboured by Mathew Walters and his non chalant approach to decisions.
And he put SCOTTLAND OUTSDE TOO.Do u remember bring back yr memories.
Eddison u were in charge of the banana corporation. What happpened to it while u were in office? The corporation was loaded with debt. Who bailed it out?? The labour party government!!!
wow look ignorance, labor was not the government after Edison James left The Banana corporation; you forgot a whole 15 years of freedom rule. Read before you type my friend
You hit the nail smack on its hear Mr. James. To this dlp admin. farmers are not of importance, thus a failure in the economy of the entire country! And yes this was a confession from walter of the dlp failure!
( Sorry correction to my comments ) I am very impressed with that comment. that what you as oppositions should have been doing all along, I am a DLP supporter and i also look forward to a strong opposition and since the last election am very disappointed in the way the opposition has been performing so i am hope that this the start to confronting the policies of the DLP party in constructive criticism which can only serve to better the government and people of the country. ( Way to go Edo )
I am very impressed with that comment that what you guys as oppositions should be doing all along, I am a DLP supporter that i also look forward to a strong opposition and since the last election i was very disappointed in the way the opposition has been performing so i am hope that this a the start to confronting the policies of the ruling party in constructive criticism . that only make for better government and better country . ( Way to go Edo )
Edison needs to give it a rest now. LIVE AND LET LIVE!
That’s if you understand what Eddo said there…
I will never forget your $1.00 per lb. Come again.
Edo understands agriculture and marketing and under his administration, the banana and agricultural industry in general was in a far better position.
Give the man a break man…
Ha Mr Minister of nose affairs can you pleaded get off my parliamentary representatives back……????you had your chance and you would not have done any better so hush your mouth….according to the song…..hush your mouth….
You were there and didn’t help the Agricultural productivity and yo have failed the farmers and you sure didn’t secure a direct market that would help the farmers.
it is so true why you did not secure the market forever?????? tell me?????
If you had a plan in place while you were in office it would be there. What did you do in your time as PM.
you had your chance in government. Did you ensure a secure market and the direct purchase of the crops when necessary.
That’s a fantastically constructive comment.
Where you traveled to? Jupiter? lol
#traveller……agriculture was so better with the UWP so i dont know what you are talking bout.well i guess you are a traveller u dont kno whats going on in the country
That’s how an opposition functions. Constructive criticism! I am looking forward to seeing more of this type UWP!! Let’s get the ball rolling on matters of interest to the welfare of our people.