I always get that nostalgic feeling when coming home and I believe it is because of that deep love and connection I have with my homeland. In June 2012, that feeling was no different than the previous years, and I could feel that surge of adrenaline as the plane landed at Melville Hall airport on my return for the first ever, Bense, Anse de Mai, and Anse Soldat Village Reunion. I must say, I had a blast seeing all my friends and family whom I had not seen in years, and even more so, those whom I never knew existed. One of the highlights of the reunion was a day set aside to meet with a few government officials to discuss ways in which we could better improve our community. Everyone, for the most part, was excited to share his/her ideas and points of view, and eager to listen to the government’s plans for the community. I had only planned on lending a listening ear, since I lived abroad and thought my input of minor relevance. This, until I heard the response from the Minister of Agriculture, to a young lady’s question on how could the government help utilize the resources in the community.
In response to the young lady’s question, the government official’s first response was, “ I was hoping [YOU] would suggest to us ways we could use the resources” (emphasis supplied). And upon continuing, the minister further explained that up in the hills of Bense, at the foot of Morne Diablotin, lay agricultural land that was largely underutilized. I listened attentively to the minister, and though he acknowledged that more would need to be done to increase access to these lands, he emphasized that in the meantime, young people should take it upon themselves to make use of the land.
Well, it may be necessary at this time to give you a brief history of Bense, Anse de Mai, and Anse Soldat, which are no different from many small communities in Dominica. The three villages constitute a tri-village area started by slaves and former slaves who worked on the nearby Hampstead and Blenhiem Estates. The inhabitants of the community set up residence on land either set aside by the estate owners or purchased after freedom. This was not the ideal land for any extensive or intensive agricultural activity, but was only accessible because estates occupied most of the arable land. Many of the earlier residents were forced to go into the foothills of Morne Diablotin to squat on crown land, which was marked by ridges and valleys. Agriculture then, was the main source of income, and today, still remains the key to Dominica’s development, until, per-chance, some large mineral deposit is discovered.
For more than a hundred years, access to these rugged lands in the foothills of the mountain was very difficult. I remember stories from my parents and grandparents of waking early in the morning and trekking for several kilometers to cut banana bunches in the foothills of the mountains, and then, carrying the fruit back down to the village for sale. Today, access has not changed much. This has made it very difficult for young people to invest and properly develop the resources. Land owned in the community has been divided into increasingly smaller plots as the older generation partitions these lands for distribution among their children. This fragmentation has made it even more challenging to practice any form of agriculture profitably.
Considering all of this, the perplexity I felt was heightened when I realized that the Minister of Agriculture maintained his argument concerning the underutilization of the rugged land in Bense. I was further disturbed by his failure to mention that the nearby Hampstead Estate, which was registered as an estate, and owned by the Douglas family, had not produced anything significant within the past two decades. In my humble opinion, a country’s success depends on how well its resources are utilized. And by resources, I am referring to land, human capital, and other natural resources. It is the estate, after all, that spurred the growth of the community for years. To successfully practice agriculture, citizens need relatively easy access to arable land. It is therefore a shame to see an estate that had brought agricultural jobs to the community for several generations, lying in such a decrepit condition, and to use the minister’s words, largely “underutilized,” while our country, Dominica, continues to suffer from agricultural anemia.
It is clear that the estate owners have failed to modernize the agri-business with the changing times and as a result, are oblivious of, and or unable to make use of the opportunities so critical to improvement of the country’s agricultural and manufacturing output. What puzzles me even more is the recognition that the same folks who fail to make any use of the opportunities they are given continue to be the ones who “run for” and assume political posts. If, as a citizen, one demonstrates the inability to make contributions to substantial development with the resources at hand, might it not be questionable that such an individual be entrusted to make decisions on behalf of the country? According to the old adage, “To whom much is given, much is required.” While I acknowledge that the estate land is privately owned, it is the responsibility of the owners to ensure that these lands are utilized to their fullest potential to contribute to the development of the country.
May I suggest to the Minister of Agriculture, through his power as a legislator, that he help draft a plan to force such estate owners in Dominica to utilize the country’s resources, as they should, for the benefit of these owners and for the profit of the state? And may I also propose a logical plan which I anticipate may be as follows: An economic impact assessment of the estates, assuming they are utilized to their full potential, and the imposition of taxes based on the results of this assessment. Prior to the introduction of tax levies, owners may be given a period of two years to create and implement a development plan. If the plan is successfully executed, then taxes may be lowered as an incentive geared towards continued production. Owners would therefore stand to benefit from the generation of revenue generating, nearby villages from the jobs created, and the country, through increased production, an enhancement of its agro-processing capacity, and the creation of potential exports.
In the case of the Hampstead Estate, I would like to think that the Minister for Agriculture would be concerned, since this estate lies within his constituency and therefore, the development of which would be a distinction in his service to the country. It is about time that our citizens make the challenging decisions that can help to move the country forward, for those who hold a greater part of my country’s resources also have a greater responsibility to utilize these resources for the overall benefit of their communities, and for our country.
Very noble ideas, and it is not as they have not been thought of before. However, we live in a real world:
– despite agriculture (and fisheries) being subsidized an not subjec to any tax on profits oour agriculture is suffocating because we are unable to compete on a global market and we import some $6 million worth of seafood annually.
– Govts. took over estates in Dominica before now, I only need to mention Geneva and Melville Hall, with what results? In fact, both properties ceased to contribute towards our GDP with the best land used for housing.
– By all means, start taxing owners of unutilized land but the results will be the same as banks trying to sell the foreclosed properties they
have on their books. You can not pluck feathers from a crapaud!
– Even international real estate investors stay away from our shores because of the uncertain returns, the pickings being easier elsewhere.
– We are the only island in the Caribbean with a dininishing population. Ask yourself why?
Unless we develop a product- & service offering that is different from eveybody else, that attracts a premium (like Jamaica’s blue mountain
coffee) for instance) we are on a hiding to
nothing. Precisely because we are different from other caribbean destinations we should desist from offering a “me too” range of products and
exploit our perceived handicaps,turning them into advantages.
Development of products and services come from research and development, trial and error. Its an ongoing process that will require innovative ideas “and adjustments with time. The status quo of “do nothing” or “it is what it is”, is not and should not be an option
Your good intentions are noted Len, but you are missing a very big point. Where do people get the incentive to invest, definitely not from those mountains that you mentioned. You let the agriculture minister off quite easy, and shifted the blame on the estate owners. Hempstead is not the only non functioning or under performing estate in Dominica, I’m not going to identify additional ones here but if you know Dominica very well and I assume you do because you were born and raised here, you will be able to figure them out for yourself.
Government must create the enabling environment to encourage investment, especially in Agriculture. Where are the markets and the factories?
We have been there, done that. We know how to work and we know where to plant but we must, and I say must be encouraged from a governmental level. Agriculture is the heaviest subsidized sector here in the US and I do not need to spell out why to you here, do your research and find out.
There are many many problems with the Bense Anse De Mai Anse-sol-dat community and Hempstead estate is definitely not the answer to any of them.
But nice try, Len!
I am particularly impressed by the reference to “agricultural anemia,” an anemia representative of not only the lack of attention to agriculture by the ministry responsible for it, but also indicative of the absence on the part of the Ministry of Educationl in Dominica to privilege Agricultural Science as a legitimate career for our youth.
Well done Len!I hope this piece is read by the minister,agriculture officials and agricultural stakeholders.It is high time we get away from this constant talk talk and no action.The Douglases,and many like them should be taxed for the underutilization of their lands.Tremendous economic benefits can be gained by sustainably exploiting our lands but the pressure to do so must be exerted from the top once motivation seems to be lacking at the bottom.
great piece…
Very sincere article. I felt attached since I grew up in Prtsmouth and is nt only familiar with the Douglas estate in Hampstead but also the Sugar Loaf estate and Garrawsy Estate in Portsmouth. I have also been making the same suggestion regarding the imposition of taxes on these holdings . The problem is that our politicians are clueless and most times to hung up in pettiness that they cannot make fundamental decisions only because they have to satisfy a few as oppose to the masses..
There s underutilize land from point round to purple Turtle for example( I am sure such is the case throughout the island) the government must be creative and formulate plans and incentives to put these underutilize holdings into productive use.
bless you fellow Dominican.we need thinkers and doers to run this country.a counrty with so much potential but just barely surviving on the fringe of its resourses..
Lennon, Your article is well structured with more clarity than we normally encounter on DNO. You should continue to contribute so that others, might by your example, understand the effort that must be expended to produce intelligent writing.
Excellent well balanced and helpful!
I could not have voiced my opinion on this issue much better. I as a young person not even from the area understand how these estate owners are just sitting on a potential economic mine. I do not think that they are even paying taxes on these lands. It is a shame!! These ministers are only too happy to have Dominicans really break their backs for their supper while turning a blind eye to all the ways they can ameliorate the lives of the citizens of Dominica. These politicians have no plans and are only looking to enrich themselves and immediate families.
well written and said writer. I support your letter fully.
Unfortunately, Mr. Matthew, I believe your proposal will undoubtedly fall on deaf ears, for the following reasons:(1)The Honorable Minister For Agriculture has made it abundantly clear that he will NOT contest the next elections. So like the England batsman Geoff Boycott he’s only going to play his time.Legacy be damned(2)I’ve heard through the grapevines that he’s slowly grooming his son to take his place. Should we expect anything different if his son wins? (3) The villagers of that constituency (and dare I say many others in Dominica) seem rather reluctant or are unable to publicly criticize their Parl Rep and demand accounting from him, because of party loyalty.
So efforts like yours, though commendable, will take decades to bear fruit. Nevertheless, I commend you on taking that 1st step.
this is wise thuts, and i tink we all need to wise up and make dat change for the better. tourism could never be first. let seat in the driver seat and look at the curves. u need to eat to get everything in ur life done. so how can u put tourism first . are u people stupid,sleepin or wat? get it straigt ppl we have eyes to see we are gettin pourer. and we can do sometin in agriculture.
well said
Dear Mr Matthew,
The Minister of whom you speak was imploring suggestions from the community including yourself.
From your eloquent article, it is unclear whether you provided any input at that meeting or maintained absolute reticence.
Please elucidate.
Imput was giving by Mr Mattew at the meeting and some of the same points raised.
Well said. I will also add to your article, the
Chaudiere Pool at Bense. the land around the pool is owned by one man who has no vision, and would not allow anyone to develop the area. this pool has the potential to create employment for the whole community on a tourism perspective.
Well, that is is his prerogative. Would you want anybody to tell you what to grow on your land and insist they share the benefit with you?
My friend you are presching to the choir.
Our country is not what it was before.
The guys who run for office are all about themselves, and when people like you and I visit and try to help, they are upset.
God is good and one day the POLITCKS will come to an end!!!!!!!!!!
Thats an interesting contribution you have made.
Some years ago I held a job in Dominica that took me all over the island and I saw fisrt hand where most of the suitable- for- farming lands were owned by the influential /politicians and were almost always vacant. Except Geneva estate in Grandbay.
In every large comunity up to today the same exist.
Someday they will give it up.
Lennon,
When you become the dictator of the Dominica, we will implement your proposals. Until such time, we will let the provate sector do as they please with their property.
While you are at it, would you also force people to convert their homes into bed and breakfast establishments? We can always use a few more business establishments to employ a few more people in the hospitality industry. Afterall we are trying to develop our tourism industry.
I am of course being facetious here, but my point is, I do not want to live in a country where the government dictated what I can or cannot do with my property.
A big “Amen” to that brother.
One cap cannot fit all and therefore a residential property would not be taxed as an estate. Furthermore the government should not tell you what to do with your house. However, there are codes and laws within which you live and landuse is part of it. It is about the country on a whole and you follow the laws of that country.
I think that you are missing the point.It is not about government dictating anything but about looking at the avenues for development that exist. Have any proposals been brought to these estate owners on what sort of development can be done using their extensive property? Give me a break! Especially since the owners are involved in the highest levels of public service!!
This is the mentality of people in the area as it relates to land anyway, do your research you will find out. They have no respect or regard for private property. Some of them soon end up stock farm for that same thing
Well written. I am in total agreement