The work of farmers and vendors, as well as their contributions to the social and economic well-being of Dominica, were highlighted at the annual Market Day with a Difference ceremony held at the Roseau Market on Saturday. This event is an important aspect of Dominica’s Independence Celebrations.
“This annual event is a celebration of who we are as a people, our resilience, and our heritage,” Acting Prime Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre said while addressing the ceremony. “It brings into sharp focus the work done by our agriculturists, our farmers, our fishers, and agro-processors who are responsible for the feeding of our nation and contributing to food security.”
According to him, “This year’s Market Day theme ‘Peyi Nou Kado Nou’ reflects our commitment to protecting our heritage and also empowering every sector to ensure their stability and ability to maintain their livelihoods.”
He emphasized to farmers and vendors that they are the backbone of Dominica’s economy.
“Every basket and produce, every handmade craft item, each of your offerings here today represents hours of hard work, resilience and dedication,” Dr. McIntyre stated. “I want you to see yourself as the heroes who bring food to our tables, sustaining not only our bodies but our spirit of community and the progress of our nation.”
He said this market day is about celebrating you and recognizing “your crucial role in our nation’s growth.”
“Today, we proudly honor our hardworking farmers and dedicated vendors who form the foundation of our food supply chain across Dominica. Your commitment and tireless efforts to bring fresh local produce to our markets are commendable,” he remarked. Dr. McIntyre added, “On this Market Day with a Difference, we celebrate each of you not only for the produce you provide but also for the essential role you play in Dominica’s growth and sustainability.”
Dr. McIntyre hopes that Market Day’s activities serve as a reminder that agriculture and entrepreneurship can help build livelihoods and a better future for Dominica. “With innovative practices, sustainable farming, and a keen eye on expanding markets, this sector can continue to be a driver of economic resilience and prosperity,” he noted.
He further stated that part of DEXIA’s success this year has been the payout of over US$2 million to farmers for their produce at the Agricultural Produce Procurement Facility, which was established to improve the timeliness of payments to farmers and contribute to an increase in agricultural production. “I am pleased to note that this program has met our objectives as a government to provide our farmers with every incentive to increase their production and continue to be major players within the agricultural sector,” he stated.
Meanwhile, he encouraged the general public to consume local products and services. “This is a call that the Honourable Prime Minister has echoed time and time again, and I am sure you will agree it is the right decision for all of us here,” Dr. McIntyre said. “By choosing local, we contribute to a sustainable future for Dominica.”
He affirmed that the government will continue to support the efforts of farmers, fishers, and vendors in their collective endeavor to increase the consumption of local foods and the purchase of local goods and services. “As a government, it is our duty and honor to support initiatives that uplift our local producers,” he stated. “We are committed to increasing access to resources, ensuring fair pricing, and exploring ways to promote local produce beyond Dominica’s borders.”
Market Day with a Difference is organized by DEXIA in partnership with the Roseau Market Authoriity.
That’s why you are fixing roads leading to their farms? Not!!!!
Really!!!
So Why is Gregor and Sam Dem getting all the CBI money to advance deir agendas!!!
Garcan all you full of Kah-Kah,,,,
How comes allyou dere promoting Cruise ships arrivals and more fancy places were Tourist not going to come and allyou going to be forced to turn them into residential properties,,,
Irvin, political garbage has its place, whereas; facing the realities of life is totally something else! Spewing your feel good garbage that “you are the backbone of the country” one feels compelled to ask you if farmers are the backbone of the country how come the few indulgent in farming are so poor, not able to realize some wealth from agriculture?
Irvin, even in the heyday, of the banana industry, when we had granted market, a (monopoly) in England, only a very small number of farmers came close to making a living from bananas. More than thirty years has elapsed, with no guarantee market for Dominica agricultural products, besides hucksters running to Barbados, Antigua, and St. Marten, peddling their products. How much money can that generate into the economy of the country?
If individuals farmers can’t survive, how can they be the backbone of Dominica?
As someone claiming to be a medical doctor you should avoid talking nonsense, because the spinal column of an exoskeleton…
I like that the Minister encouraged the general population to consume local products. I would take it one step further and reduce the importation of goods that are produced locally. During fruit season, reduce the importation of foreign fruits. Another strategy is to support backyard gardening. There is absolutely no reason why every home in Dominica does not have a backyard garden. Every family should grow as much of their own vegetables as possible. Use old pots and pans, old tires, old drums, make raised beds, and plant tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, spinach, peppers, chives, parsley, celery, thyme, mint…things that are easy to grown. This will help in reducing our import bill.
No need to import table mats and cheap plastic housewares from China when we have local goods produced by our Kalinago and other people.
Give incentives for growing and consuming local items.
Minister McIntyre you and your inept leader et alia have performed surgery on agriculture removing its spine and backbone, and transforming this vital sector into an invertebrate.
St. Lucia’s banana production is booming. Conversely, in Dominica, the banana industry is not even a shadow of its once to roly-poly self.
Roosevelt is a wrecking ball. He has wrecked agriculture, the middle class, the business sector, healthcare, the courts, law enforcement, banking system, water and electricity systems, the parliament, and managed to permanently damaged the country’s once pristine image.
Roosevelt will leave a legacy of corruption, poverty, political tribalism, gluttony, lies, ultra-selfishness, hunger, agony and tears.
Let’s be factual. Right now CBI or the sale of passports is the backbone of the economy in Dominica. Even Roosevelt has conceded this point by stating, “If not CBI then what!”
With fertile lands, an abundance of rivers and adequate rainfall, year round sunshine, a vibrant population, agriculture, like yesterday, should be the mainstay of the economy.
Unfortunately, this sector is on the brink of collapsing. Bad or no feeder roads, insufficient incentives for farmers, severe problems finding markets resulting in huge spoilage, hardly any incentives of turning the raw farm produce to a byproduct (agro-industries), all these mitigate against a vibrant agriculture sector.
LEADERSHIP MATTERS! A bad leader seeks power while a good leader empowers. Roosevelt is a the most intellectually unqualified leader in the Caribbean. Just compare his academic qualification with that of his counterparts.