Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that the continued presence and support of the Chinese government and its technical mission reflect a genuine commitment to Dominica’s development aspirations and the deepening of the bonds between these two nations.
His comment came while delivering the feature address at the China-AID Handing Over Ceremony of Agricultural Materials and the launch of the 9th phase of the Agricultural Technical Cooperation Project held at One Mile, Portsmouth, recently. This includes 12 tractors, rotavator tillers, trenching machines, mini excavators, among others, valued at over $1.1 million.
According to him, Dominica shares a long-standing fruitful partnership with the People’s Republic of China, rooted in mutual respect, shared goals, and meaningful collaboration.
“Over the years, the relationship between the People’s Republic of China has yielded tangible benefits for the people of Dominica in agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and beyond,” Skerrit said. “The continued presence and support of the Chinese government and its technical missions reflect a genuine commitment to our development aspirations and the deepening of the bonds between our two nations.”
He continued,“ Today, this relationship is further strengthened with the launch of the 9th phase of the Agricultural Technical Cooperation Project and the handing over of yet another batch of valuable agricultural equipment and materials.”
Skerrit indicated that since its launch in 2005, Dominica has been a beneficiary of China’s technical expertise and generosity in the field of agriculture.
“Over the past 19 years, we have witnessed the completion of eight successful phases of cooperation,” Skerrit stated. “More than 20 batches of agricultural tools, seeds, materials, and modern equipment have been delivered, laying the groundwork for a more modern, productive, and sustainable agricultural sector in Dominica.”
He added, “Today, we usher in phase 9 of this invaluable partnership that continues to build on the progress we have made and propels us further towards our shared goals of food security, climate resilience, and agricultural modernization.”
The Prime Minister asserted that his government is particularly grateful for the continued presence of the nine-member Chinese Agricultural Technical Mission, which will once again work side by side with the Ministry of Agriculture to deliver tangible results.
Moreover, he indicated that the new phase will bring high-quality seeds and seedlings of vegetables, fruits, and flowers, materials for propagation and cultivation, laboratory and aquaculture equipment, and other essential agricultural supplies that will directly benefit Dominican farmers, the youth, and agricultural stakeholders.
“The focus of protected agriculture, aquaculture, tissue culture, and modern demonstration techniques will ensure that the Dominican-China Modern Agricultural Center remains not only operational, but also at the cutting edge of innovation and sustainability,” Skerrit noted. “Our collaboration in agriculture and across various sectors is a reflection of a strategic partnership grounded in solidarity, particularly during times of adversity.”
Whether it was the devastation of Tropical Storm Erika or Hurricane Maria, or the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted that the government of the People’s Republic of China stood with his government, “not just in words, but in action.”
“Their support in helping us to rebuild the sector after Hurricane Maria and in establishing the agricultural science complex and tissue culture lab will forever be remembered and appreciated,” Skerrit said.
Furthermore, he said this deep cooperation has borne fruit quite literally.
“We now see dragon fruits, broccoli, and cantaloupes thriving in our soil,” the Prime Minister revealed. “We have successfully introduced and tested modern technologies in protected farming, aquaculture, and ecological agriculture.”
He explained that every year, hundreds of farmers receive technical training, and hundreds of thousands of seedlings are distributed across the island, free of charge to farmers.
“Our students, too, are being introduced to the world of modern agriculture, helping to nurture a new generation of agro entrepreneurs,” he said. “This partnership has also advanced Dominica’s broader developmental goals.”
Skerrit emphasized that his government has consistently stated its commitment to continue to invest in the agricultural sector, not just for domestic consumption, but as a key driver of exports, employment, and economic sustainability.
“The technical cooperation with China is helping us translate this vision into action,” he stated. “It is our firm belief that food security is national security. By strengthening our agricultural systems, building on our technical capacity, and investing in innovation, we are making Dominica more resilient, more self-reliant, and better positioned to withstand external shocks, be they economic or environmental.”
He went on to state that agriculture will continue to be the centerpiece of the Government of Dominica’s economic strategy and plan.
Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, His Excellency Chu Maoming said it is a great pleasure and honor to join in celebrating this important milestone in the longstanding and fruitful partnership between the People’s Republic of China, and the Commonwealth of Dominica.
And according to the ambassador, this handing-over ceremony highlights China’s continued commitment to equipping Dominican farmers with the tools they need to succeed.
“Agriculture is a cornerstone of Dominica’s economy, sustaining livelihoods and safeguarding food security,” he said. “It is the lifeblood of countries’ communities, providing jobs and driving national development. China is therefore deeply proud to have stood alongside Dominica for nearly two decades, working together to build agricultural capacity, introduce innovative technologies, and drive agricultural modernization.”
He expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the entire Chinese agricultural mission for their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment.
Chu Maoming explained that phase 9 represents a substantial expansion and deepening of China-Dominica agricultural partnership.
“Nine Chinese experts will work closely with the counterpart here in Dominica in several key areas, including expanding greenhouse vegetable production, improving crop quality, advancing fruit tree cultivation, promoting aquaculture, and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices,” he revealed. “I wish them every success in their endeavors.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, as you look around, you will see a spectacular array of agricultural materials and machinery on display, including tractors, rotary tillers, trenching machines, many excavators, to name just a few. I noticed just now the Honorable Fenella Wenham, you have mentioned these equipment. I was personally amazed by the quality and innovation of these made-in-China products. They represent the latest round of gifts from the Chinese government to Dominica,” said Chu Maoming.
He also pointed out that over the past two years, China has funded 68 Dominicans to travel to China for training programs in agricultural processing.
“These individuals have come back to Dominica with new expertise, ready to drive local development,’ he noted.
In addition, he commended the Chinese agricultural mission for guiding and supporting students at the Dominica State College and the local primary and secondary schools.
Minister for Agriculture Roland Royer said the donation is not merely a gift of equipment, “It is an investment in our resilience, in our food systems and the economic empowerment of our people.”
“These machines come at the most opportune time as the government accelerates the transformation of the agricultural sector,” he asserted. “These tractors and implements will greatly enhance land preparation, boost farm productivity, and directly address one of our most pressing challenges: the shortage of farm labor.”
Royer is confident that with proper management and farmer access, this equipment will significantly reduce the cost of production, expand the production base, and help farmers to cultivate more acres with less time and effort.
He made it clear that the equipment being handed over will be properly managed under a re-established agricultural engineering unit that will be tasked with the deployment of equipment to farms, routine servicing and preventive maintenance, oversight of irrigation systems, support for protecting agricultural technology, and promoting soil conservation practices.
“This unit will ensure that the lifespan of this valuable machinery is protected and that access is equitable, transparent, and based on production priorities,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Representative of the Portsmouth Constituency Fenella Wenham-Sheppard said clearly this partnership continues to bear fruit, “enhancing our agricultural productivity, building local capacity and strengthening food security in Dominica.”
She advised those who will be using the tractors and other equipment to “use them wisely.”
“Not only do they cost a lot, they enhance farming productivity, affecting the lives and well-being of thousands of households and Dominica’s economy in general,” she explained. “We are going to need mechanics who can work on heavy equipment. So, for those who are younger and interested in mechanical engineering as your field of interest in education, you are called on to draw closer to the agricultural station.”
Wenham-Sheppard expressed deep gratitude to the government of the People’s Republic of China for its continued commitment to Dominica’s development.
The glory days of the Dominican agro industry is long behind us. The Latin American conglomerates and the E.U. sounded the death knell decades ago.
Even with preferential treatments, our hard working farmers of yesteryear barely realized a pittance for their hardwork, sweat and grind.
While the age old plea to improve crop quality is sensible, what good is it when producers cannot secure shelf or bin space in retail establishments?
Reality is that the agro-ship has long sailed and Dominicans must hop on board the rocket ship of innovation as LC Matthew astutely alluded to.
While governments can certainly help to facilitate the growth and development of ambitious and talented individuals through scholastic sponsorship, the majority of our populace will have to be bold, creative and innovative to survive and thrive in a world where we are no longer our brother’s and sister’s keepers.
I doe understand, how can you have billion$ and stoop to begging accepting “aid” in any form?
With estates and the plantocracy extinct, might this be a move designed to avoid accepting anything like loans from IMF/world-bank after shutting down your agricultural stations as part of their secret, or not, austerity measures?
This is for MEME and L C Matthew you two stop thinking with your MOUTHS, engage your minds.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1078743/dominica-agriculture-share-gdp/
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS?locations=DM
you can use World Bank Stats. to compare Dominica with other Countries in The region.
https://www.caribank.org/sites/default/files/publication-resources/CDB%20-%20Dominica%20Economic%20Review%20-%2011%20x%208_5.pdf
https://carnivallist.com/the-economy-of-dominica-growth-challenges-and-opportunities/
https://global.uwi.edu/sites/default/files/bnccde/dominica/conference/papers/CampbellD.html
I hope that this is not too much for you guys to digest. This Government has invested more resources and money into the Dominica Agriculture Sector than any other Government in our History to restore the sector. You guys must stop the nonsense criticism and pathetic mantra and look at the facts.
You mean invest millions in self enrichment schemes. If what you are stating has some element of truth, why has the economy been in a comatose state for over two decades? You are always spreading misinformation to bend the minds of the unthinking and the unlettered in society.
Gary! You remind of Joseph Goebbels who masterminded the Nazi propaganda machine. The IDF would do well with a man with your expertise to deceive and make lies seem innocuous..
I’m never surprised by your reply, lol, you know facts, reason, and empirical evidence is not accounted for in your thinking process of a comatose mind, bent on distorting facts. Here I present a line graph with information as it regards Dominica Agriculture Sector from reputable sources, detailing the raise and fall of the Agriculture sector, and how this present Government has been making great strides in increasing the GDP percentage, the decline of Agriculture was not under this Government watch, and if you are honest we all know what was the reason for this decline a WTO ruling. You must not forget farmers abandoning their farms under UWP watch, DAPEX declared insolvent who managed DAPEX.
I’m I spreading misinformation, lol, name me a self enrichment scheme of millions, it’s all in your deceitfulness mind the modus operandi of Joseph Goebbels repeated lies
the cap fits you, you will achieve nothing with your silliness.
To you opening question. Dominica was a hub for agricultural produce before Roosevelt hijacked the DLP and the government. Farmers were indelendent then. Many were able to finance their children through university.
Roosevelt’s ascension to the pinnacle of political power has done irreparable harm to this once thriving industry. Here is the evidence:
*Banana industry strangled to death
*Feeder roads deteriorated to an impassable state
* Huge spoilage as no proper storage facilities and poor marketing
*The sale of passports took priority over farming by the dunce administration
Do you need more incontrovertible evidence?
Here again how disingenuous you are. The Banana Industry strangled to death, well, who strangled it to death. https://caricom.org/wto-banana-ruling-devastating-blow-to-vulnerable-caribbean-economies/
Feeder roads deteriorated to an impassable state https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/homepage-carousel/island-wide-improvement-to-farm-access-roads-to-benefit-over-700-farmers-expand-acreage-and-production/
Huge spoilage as no proper storage facilities and poor marketing https://pressroomopm.gov.dm/government-of-dominica-awards-over-ec5-million-in-new-contracts-to-strengthen-agriculture-build-climate-resilience/
https://www.dom767.com/dompedia/dexia-glanvillia-packhouse-in-portsmouth/
The sale of passports took priority over farming by the dunce administration. Do you know what it means to diversify your economy, https://www.bankofsaintlucia.com/blogs/dominica-cbi-funds-fostering-a-diversified-economy-for-a-sustainable-future.
Where is your so-called incontrovertible…
@Gary
@ Gary
You seem to be one of those failures sucking Dominica dry because of your greed.
How does this compare to what agriculture brought to our economy during its halceyon days?
Your shameless dimwit to have produced link to your failure.
Your shameless buffoon. Is either you are wicked, or you are steeped to deep in supporting the destruction of this country, that you cant extricate yourself.
Why do you identify me with such foolishness. You made a comment about your need to know about the dollar figure, regarding the contribution of agriculture to the national economy. I posted the information, instead of reading it you reply to me with this silly comment, lol. It tells you’re not interested in the truth, or facts about your Country, your partisan political beliefs take precedence, sad so long.
@Gary
You seem to be seated at a computer doing nothing, but supporting corruption in government.
Most people will not go to your link. Just compare it to when agriculture was king.
Your lazy head.
Both MEME and Matthew are correct.
@lazy head GARY
Do you work in agriculture? In which ever office you are, you seem to be a very LAZY person always giving links. Stop staying in an airconditioned office and puttings links on here. Its your modus operandi. Do your work, lazy, and stop trying to decieve.
He actually did your work for you by seeking out the facts that debunk the idiocy that you readily swallow. Gary is your hero, your saviour. You should be thanking him for enlightening you and cursing those who have broobrooed and insulted you.
If you say something or make a statement on a public forum DNO, why characterize me as lazy to send some information or data to that person saying hey, what you are saying, is not necessarily true, read this. Why people must make statements and say things on this forum and not expect to be challenged, such a bizarre concept you have. Why are you associating laziness with someone in a room working in air condition.
Do know what it means to deceive people lol, If you accuse someone of deception you better understand what it means and able to identify the deception, from your comment you are asleep.
i would think equipment’s suited for our terrain would be much better most of our farm land are on slopes so how are these tractors going to benefit most farmers who do not have large qty of flat agriculture land to make use of them
How about some garbage collection trucks
True friends to Dominica. Thank you very much!
XièXiè!!
Tell me Mr PM, do you ever spare a thought for enslaved Uygurs, incarcerated pro-democracy activists, or support for Russia’s invasion and bombing of innocent people in Ukraine?
All politics is local. China plays the divisive local politics well. They support whatever party in power exclusively. Prop them up with ‘gifts’.
Meanwhile, the Chinese extract tremendously from the local economy. Their companies get multi million dollar building contracts to the exclusion of local contractors. They flood the country with their businesses to the detriment of the indigenous ones. They mostly employ their own people. In fact, they get to repatriate many millions of dollars every week to China while locals are !dry penniless.
My point is, the Chinese take out tons and put in minimally to the local economy. There is nothing here to crow about.
What was agri production and export prior to 2000 compared to post 2000? We have CARDI we have more agriculturalist per capita and we are displaying our inability to innovate, create research, develop, market and grow our own skills talent and ideas. Black man is adding to the narrative that they make good slaves, servants and followers. after 48 years of independence we have just demonstrated how to move from one master to another because we do not believe in ourselves, our people, our abilities and enginuity. We developed our own yet today we back encouraging colonialism and a slave mentality.
@L C Matthew
Glad to hear you Matthew. I am tired of asking for a dollar figure, re the contribution of agriculture to the national economy.
From 2000 to 2025 it has surely been on a downward spiral, never to regain its glory days under this regime.
PASSPORT selling has replaced agriculture.
MEME
“What was agri production and export prior to 2000 compared to post 2000?”
For a man who has much to say on any topic, you surely love to show how little you know on any topic. Do your research first before you surrender to the reflex urge to open your mouth and look like a ninny. The World Bank and the IMF have data and graphs that show you the real story with agriculture in Dominica pre-2000, but you would not dare look, would you? Fake news and disinformation are easier and appeal more to the enemies of Dominica.
@Putin
Well you are just as silly as usual. Your silliness here is nothing new. Quote the figures for all to see.
Most people wont go to any link.
Well, if “most people wont go to any link,” how do “most people” feel so authorised to speak on an issue? If you do not have the info, you seek it or keep quiet. Simple arithmetic! You have time to click and post foolishness on DNO’s site but no time to conduct a simple Google search for facts that will educate you. How does this begin to make sense?
Stop asking questions quote, “What was agri production and export prior to 2000 compared to post 2000” the information is there, you are too busy with your Bla Bla, has this Government shown lack or inability to innovate, create research, develop, market and grow our own skills talent and ideas of course not, the information and evidence is there to prove your ludicrous statements and beliefs. What is all this talk about black man colonialism and a slave mentality, lol
what else can you see? hope you are listening to the US…they warned you….all you want is hand out…you are not interested in putting people to work…look at clear harbor….manufacturing is 90% dead…we import 90% of everything…what do we export? can you grade yourself and your carbal? over 25 years in office? would grade you 10%…uvare only interested in handout