Former Agricultural Minister in the United Workers Party (UWP) administration, Peter Carbon has said the economic survival of Dominica, depends on the survival of its Agricultural industry.
He said the income gained from farming gives opportunity for all Dominicans to grow their businesses and help in nationwide development.
“I worked in the agricultural sector for a long time and I know that the economic survival of Dominica depends on the survival of the agricultural … industry. Agriculture supplies income for thousands of rural families and that money is circulated in the community, the city’s, support our business and expanding new business,” Carbon stated in ‘The Worker’s Voice’ program on Q95 FM radio recently.
Carbon said what he realized is that the current development in Dominica is tied to the failure of the Agricultural sector and believes that a government is there to create an economic system so that the people can make necessary investment to create wealth.
Carbon explained that in the last 20 years he has seen a “destruction” of opportunities for people, especially young person’s stating that citizens below the age of 40 years “really have not experienced a government that give them opportunities.”
He said growing up in the 70s, there were more job opportunities for your persons, just after graduating from high school.
“When I graduated from The Dominica Grammar School, I didn’t have to apply for a job. I was selected to be a trainee in the department of agriculture and at that time there were so many opportunities that your school, actually selected attachments for you and this continued I believe up to 2000 because no graduate in Dominica had to struggle to find a job,”
He added , “A country develops by creating wealth. You create wealth by building industries. We have the agricultural industry, today is almost gone. The agriculture industry provided opportunities in the bananas, coconuts, tree crops and root crops all these provided commercial opportunities, where somebody could go to the bank, gets some money and invest in an Industry and expect to make profits.”
Meantime, in terms of tourism, he stated that UWP made “leaps” within this industry in terms of development adding that they have built tourism visitors centers including the one in Trafalgar, Emerald, Pool, Soufriere, Indian River as well as a facility for venders to run their business. .
“We got the heritage site, the world heritage site, listed and that’s a promotion tool for Dominica because like other sites around the world, Dominica was listed and tourists would be coming down to visit that site, rather than manage it and operate it, We see that the government have done nothing with that very great achievement.”
While in government, Carbon added that the festival commission established the cultural industry which created the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) and other business ventures.
He noted within the finance industry where operations of the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program took place, 16 million dollars which was gathered in one year from the program was invested in local advancement.
Agriculture was the life blood of Dominica and would still continue to be had it not been for Skeritt. Now he has given the agricultural sector a state funeral. R.I.P. Greenery.
It looks like The PM was elected to multitask, set the policy and plans for Agricultural Industry, make the monies available for the farmers, plant the crops for them, and find a market for the crops and produce, Skerrit The Grand Pupa wow, hey, hey , hey so long.
Back in the day before US president Bill Clinton gave the Caribbean banana growers the SHAFT Dominica was exporting bananas every two weeks and the economy was doing good with all the money coming in to the farmers. Bill Clinton gave Dominica the SHAFT then visited the island after Hurricane Maria acting like he cares. All he was looking for was money like he did after the Haiti earthquake. That money he took in took a long walk. Dominica used to export a lot of bananas.
Amen to that!
Later the World Trade Organization SEALED the deal with their inhumane fair-trade & free-trade agreements we were forced/bullies to sign that only allows European, American and 2-3 other large countries to subsidize agriculture whereby the poor countries, billions of people can only do agriculture using cutlass, hoe and pickaxe (that only the big bullies produce). So the big countries mentioned simply flood the markets of the poor with their inferior agro products. Then they GIVE YOU “aid”. Just check the shelves of the super markets and shops in your area.
UWP’s investment in agriculture (more specifically, bananas) reminds me of Mao’s cultural revolution in China. In both cases, the result was a ruined economy. Donshaw ping with his open door policy rescued China. Skerrit with the CBI program rescued Dominica.
No deviating from the subject at hand but Mr. C would be better off cutting/ removing/ trimming those pesky hairs from his nostrils when taking professional photos
. Yes I said it!
That is the thing I do not understand with these liars,they want to make Dominicans believe things were better with UWP.As if Dominicans are blind idiots. Go to the country side to see so many beautiful mansions. Our health centers are mini- hospitals.Roseau hospital,Marigot hospital state of the art.Roads,bridges,schools.are state state- of-the- art.Dominica has more police,more teachers,more firemen and more nurses employed.Our business places,S-Mart,Fresh market,Do It Center,Starring and Sons,Greens,Whitchurch are modern.We no longer use pit toilet.We no longer carry water from public standpipes,We no longer travel on vehicles with wooden boxes.Our minimum wage has increased by 90%.There was no Clear Harbour,no yes we care,no nep,no 2,700 people getting $300 during the reign of UWP.Today we have hundreds of small businesses,pepper,coconut water,ripe bananas and more.Fruits and vegetables are sold all year round.Fresh chucked and pork is an everyday thing.Unlike under corrupt UWP.
Preach it the clown, they walking with their eyes close. You can’t stop the haters, but the truth will reveal it. I am still being owed a month salary under the UWP gov.
You don’t have to go to Hollywood, Florida or NY to see mansions anymore they are sprawling in DA. So DA sweet my BOY! I left the Rat Race life in American to a life of simplicity and contentment in Dominica. Dam Covid-19
Lie Clown preaching to the converted choir. The members of the choir are gullible, dishonest and dead from the neck up.
Skerrit is driving the choir over a steep cliff and talthough these passengers are being chauffeured to their demise, they are cheering on the unlicensed driver.
Am assuming you got an apartment or on a waiting list to get one because it’s not natural to be so foolish for nothing. Every inept and corrupt governments needs useful ….. like you to keep them goings, that is the one weakness of democracy, a mad man, a Paro and you have the same vote like everyone else.
In Peter Carbon’s time Pit toilet was seen as the new technology for relieving yourself when you wanted a poo. Since then, under Skerrit the new technology is living in a modern house or apartment with fully functional flush toilets and all the modern amenities for living in comfort. Dominica as a tiny island don’t have the acreage to grow enough bananas to sell at a pitance to be able to afford to buy a modern home. Sometimes i feel that UWP and their supporters would like to take us back to those pit toilet days.
I’m troubled by the word “fate” used in this headline, but that is left for a journalistic debate. As to the remarks made by Peter Carbon, why the baggage of the checked past, is this the predominant legacy of The UWP that Peter Carbon is proud to talk about wow, Dominicans know the predominant legacy of the UWP, the Country is still wrestling with its remnants today. Former Ministers always see the importance of things when they are outsiders.
The Agriculture Industry is vital to the economy of Dominica and should be a priority of Governments. Is the Agricultural Industry in Dominica exhibiting the potential it should be at the stage of our present economic development, NO. The Agricultural Industry in Dominica has never reached 700 million dollars EC in terms of export revenue in a given year under any of the Governments in the last 30ys,that is a conservative number. We have the land and water, but where is the entrepreneurial spirit from the farmers.
Agriculture but not in the sense of dbmc and the days of banana. More along the lines of feeding the world. As demand for food increases a sustainable and creative approach to agriculture might see dominica and countries like her could benefit. Again has to be managed properly. But oh well
” He said the income gained from farming gives opportunity for all Dominicans to grow their businesses and help in nationwide development.”
Well, that was then; in 2005 the industry was on the decline, and even then Dole, and La Chiquita were vying for the monopoly which the Windward Islands as former colonies of the British had.
The former colonies in the Windward islands lost that monopoly when the United Kingdom (England) entered into the European Union. Apart from that there is an plant disease which is anticipated will ultimately destroy the banana plant, that is the reason Dole, and La Chiquita are no longer interested in the banana monopoly in the European market.
In a situation where they nation should depend on Agriculture for survival, it would be at this time the same as a passport economy, which will cause the collapse of our country! There are absolutely no market in North America, or Europe for Agricultural products from the Caribbean, Dominica for that…
Cont:
There are absolutely no market in North America, or Europe for Agricultural products from the Caribbean, Dominica for that… “matter.”
If the skeptics does not believe me all one have to do is asks those whom were in Canada at an expo displaying Dominica agricultural products, how many orders they obtained, and how often they ship the same to Canada?
We see lots of agricultural produce in Canada, and the United States, nevertheless; they are imported from the Philippines, and as far away as Vet Nam; the people who imports such are from the countries mentioned; more than thirty years ago; there were Jamaicans doing the same thing, they are however, not involved in that anymore.
I am not suggesting we abandon agriculture completely, since it from where our staples derive; there at his point is the industrialization of the country, we are in the industrial age!
Hope you are doing fine Peter, I talk with Emlord everyday, I hear her voice in the background with the…
Why do you make such nonsensical statements. “There are absolutely no market in North America, or Europe for Agricultural products from the Caribbean, Dominica for that… “matter” ” it’s not about what you think or believe, your arrogance is sometimes pathetic https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/738061467998816272/pdf/93184-v2-P146683-Box391466B-PUBLIC-trade-caribbean-web.pdf
Be content with your conviction.
Gary, insult me as much as you wish, but I advised you try not to be an idiot!
If you believe I am talking nonsense, tell me how much of the leaves you show hanging and the crap about world bank are grown in Dominica; and if so how come you are not shipping them weekly or monthly internationally?
Gary when you hear about shortage of food in the world, they are not talking about the same staples as we eat in the Caribbean, and even so on the continent of Africa, in some countries they grow the same staples, i.e. Uganda!
When they talk of food shortage, they are talking about grain products; such as wheat, rice corn, ect,ect,ect; soybean, not the kind of food grown in Dominica.
Guy, in Dominica the emphasis is growing Banana, Tanya, Dashine, Plantains and similar produce; white people in North America: (the United States & Canada) Europe don’t buy such, get that through your head; I lived in Europe, now America.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque, It is never may aim to insult you, It’s just that the statements you make and the things you believe I just find them to be somewhat ludicrous. Like the above reply, I will always remind you, be content with your belief, it’s what brings solace to your ego.
I think in fairness to all the people mentioned the three of you should examine the WTO’s so-called ‘Free-trade & fair-trade’ agreements that the U.N’s big sick had poorer nations sign on to. You’ll be surprised to find its directly related to what you are discussing, the roots of the current situation.
Agriculture was thriving under the stewardship of Minister Peter Carbon. Look at it now. The agriculture sector is not even a shadow of its former self.
Banana industry dead; feeder roads non-existent; markets ghosted; assistance to farmers negligible – this is incontrovertible evidence that this evil government has left the agricultural sector hemorrhaging. The clueless regime is now sucking the last drop of blood from this industry that kept the Dominica economy afloat for many decades.
This article is refreshing. Why? It is issue and solution oriented.
What’s in these statements, from the past Minister, that makes this solution oriented. If things were so good under the stewardship of Minister Peter Carbon as you say, then why after the UWP lost the election of 2000 the worst economic crisis Dominica ever faced was inherited by the newly elected Government. If Peter Carbon, had such an oriented solution and a track record as you said, why didn’t he join Linton in the last election to out -line his plan to the Dominican people.
I totally agree with the comments
Peter boy, Time changes so does man. Generation come and goes. Every generation mentality changes as THEY come. 30 years ago can not be the same as today;. technology is the game. What worked before does not necessary will work now. This generation of youths are Internet children and not into Agriculture. Man shall not lie on bread alone.
Good point, but what are the chances of Dominica becoming a technology hub? wild guess, Zero.
One thing for sure is that man must eat. Although, i agree we cannot operate like the past, instead we should invest into agro-processing, packaging, and so forth. Instead of selling a mango, let’s process it into organic bottled/boxed mango juice, Mango ice cream, jams, chocolate mangoes, dried packaged mango slices, Mango extract, and so on
Those who don’t know and don’t that they don’t know are ignorant, teach him. KID, revisit Kindergarten. In fact, this kindergarten adult class should be for you KID, Lie Clown, Dog Abuser and fake double degree holder ds. ( A for apple, B for bat, C for cat………).
Do the math, population increase and whilst we are years away from catching up to Guadeloupe who is just next door to us in technology, they will be even farther ahead than us.
Technology is the game? Ever heard of Agricultural technology? Dominica has the potential to be integrated with technology. despite its many mountains and valleys and beautiful rivers that provides power as well.
we need to tap into it by elevating the country to a more promising future. How will we do that?
Pump money into both technology and agriculture. We let the tablets do the brain washing. Back then teachers and parents were our brainwashers. now its that technology that we look at with no means or way of ever being able to reach their level.
Dominica has the potential to be the Singapore of the Caribbean. mixing modern art, Technology and agriculture to create sustainability for everyone.
All these were fake developments that could not be sustained and built on. The Labor party when it came to power had to inherit an empty treasury and start back from scratch. If you are so positive of what you are saying, then, why is the UWP keep being rejected at the polls? How many dominicans became wealthy at the hands of the UWP when that fake party was in power? Zero. Carbon, get a life. We are moving on with Skerrit and, that is the bottom line.
Another UWP liar.This is the same agriculture minister who leased a portion of state land to the then Prime Minister Edison James contrary to Dominica law.It is the same Prime Minister Edison James who told Dominicans there was nothing wrong in ministers of government competiting with the private sector
FACTS:In 1995 when the UWP won election the population of Dominica was 71,105 when they were kicked out of office for corruption the population was 69,650.If my mathematics is correct(I am not a genius like IBO)1,445 people left during the corrupt reign of UWP
Today the population of Dominica is 72,263.Go to Warner,Jimmit,Morne Daniel.Canefield East,LA Plains,Portsmouth,ScottsHead and several other places to see hundreds of beautiful mansions built by local people,is excluding houses and mansions built by government.Out of a population of 72,263 Dominica has, according to the traffic department Dominica has 37,000 registered vehicles.I wonder if this guy know a man named .BERNIE…
Clown, I know that we exist in a world dominated by lies, thievery and everything wicked.
Lies have taken precedence over the truth. For more than fifty years now the babbling is that there are 70,000 people in Dominica, all of a sudden you took the number to almost
73,000, how can this be when your death ratio, surpassed your birth ratio.
I told you labor clowns before add the total number of people who voted in last three elections, and divide the number by three the denote the average amount of people supposed to be resident in Dominica.
And by the way there are more foreign criminals possing with Dominica passports than native born, asks Roosevelt what will happen when they decide to take Dominica from him, and make him a damn slave?
Hahahahaha!
How disheartening this is. Have they told the citizens how the country is doing on a global scale?
We need to look at facts. Back then, The UWP made state of the Art buildings as well, a futuristic stadium and International Airport was in the works and it never happened until they were ready after other countries beat us to the punch. Airport is still TBD.
Do you forget at the end of a fortnight, the agriculturists were the ones filling up the banks with their garden clothes and their dirty boots. PROUD of themselves! My parents would sell 200 boxes a fortnight. some families would send their children to school from their pocket, and there was still room for assistance from the Government.
I learnt how to be organized, punctuality, discipline and most of all I had to respect the farmers because of Agriculture.
Supermarkets importing way more produce into Dominica than back then.
The point is about Balancing the economy not pointing out who did good and who did not.
I mean of course! Food security is key if we can position ourselves to supply the entire OECS region with food, why not?! Dominica is one of the most fertile Caribbean islands. You think tourism and selling passports is sustainable. Only a few can engage in tourism and selling passports. Get land, plant ,grow, reap, or even with no land get people, work on land, profit…