COVID-19: Dominica puts food security committee in place

A standing committee has been appointed in Dominica in light of fears that the coronavirus (COVID-19) may threaten food security.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said at a press conference last week that the committee is being chaired by Director of Trade, Mathan Walter.

“We have also gone beyond our own preparation of health and about 3 weeks ago the government appointed a standing committee on food supplies,” he said.

Skerrit said his government is in touch with the private sector on a regular basis to find out how much food the country has in stock.

He stated further that his government is also monitoring the transportation chain.

“So far there have been no disruption in the transportation chain in terms of containers and boats coming in to deliver supplies,” Skerrit indicated. “We have been in touch with the Ministry of Agriculture to see how much food we have in the soil in Dominica, what is the projection for the next six months and all of this is contingency plans the government has put in place.”

The Prime Minister added that the government has been in touch with DOWASCO on water supply and water storage.

“We are not only focusing on the strict health issues, but there are other issues we are focusing on,” he noted.

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9 Comments

  1. 72nationsshallallbowuntoHIM
    March 25, 2020

    too late. Food security should have been a priority long before Hurricane Maria. It should have taught us that lesson. but guess what. The Ministry of agriculture has a bunch of fools on top and worse the PM himself not even seeing the value in ensuring that his people are fed. Again we need sustainable cattle ranches, pig farms and goat and sheep rearing programs. We need seed banks that ensure availability of seed and protection of indigenous crops and plant life. we need processing facilities to turn our raw produce into finished or at least value added products. we need to ensure that we have designated acreage planted in a rotational manner to ensure not only our local markets, but processors have enough raw materials as well as enough crops for the export market. Capacity building people. We just here forming the royal donkey and acting like oh, policy this policy that, and consultants this and consultants that, but Our trade deficit grows and we export and produce less. resilien

  2. Prevention or Cure?
    March 24, 2020

    Stupes. That not making any sense. You failing to take steps to protect us today and looking for good 6 months?

  3. Prevention or Cure?
    March 24, 2020

    Kudos to the PM for putting a food security committee in place. However it would have been much better if he had closed our boarders and have something in place to ensure that returning Dominicans were screened and quarantined for 2 weeks to keep us safe. As good as food security committee may sound, the truth is, how good it is to know farmers have food in the soil but they are sick with COVID-19 and thus their food cannot be harvested simply because our government did not secure our ports?. How good is it to know we have plenty food but we cannot eat because too many are sick and their mouths have no feeling for food? PM skipped plans for protecting us TODAY and jumped 6months to see how good we have in the soil. Sounds crazy right?

  4. Oneday
    March 24, 2020

    Very smart move. Plant plant and raise animals as well. Dominica shouldn’t have to import a single food item.

  5. Truth Be Told
    March 24, 2020

    Failed state of about 70,000 people sitting on 289 square miles of fertile volcanic soil, their Prime Minister idea of food security is, “So far there have been no disruption in the transportation chain in terms of containers and boats coming in to deliver supplies”!

    • 72nationsshallallbowuntoHIM
      March 25, 2020

      meanhwhile our trade deficit continues to grow, along with unemployment

  6. Stasha
    March 23, 2020

    As.we are on DOWASCO the people in Bellevue Chopin need a constant flow of water to battle the covid-19. Please check us we have a serious water problem..

  7. Mara Rubin
    March 23, 2020

    So, how much food is in the ‘soil in Dominica’? What is the projection?
    What is the answer on Dowasco on water supply and storage?
    What are the other issues you are focusing on?
    Or are these all state secrets?
    You should never forget that you are a public servant and as such report to the citizens! Not stand in front of them and speak in riddles. What is wrong with this man? He is paranoid and not right upstairs!

  8. Neighbour
    March 23, 2020

    The government needs to consult with the utility companies (Dowasco, Domlec, Digicel, Flow, et al) to formulate a plan concerning customers who may possibly lose their jobs, or simply can’ work because of restrictions, in regards to bill payments. No one is asking for freebies, but imagine a family’s breadwinner cannot bring in the bread, and then their water or electricity is cut because of lack of funds to pay. I think it would make a bad situation even worse. This is the kind of situation where all of us have to have thoughts and concerns for our fellow citizens, all of them.

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