PS in Agriculture calls for month-end completion of public policy on agriculture

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PS in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Eisenhower Douglas

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Dr Eisenhower Douglas, wants a one-day national consultation to finalise a public policy towards agriculture to be drafted by month end and to be ready by April for cabinet’s approval. Douglas was speaking this morning at the National Consultation on Public Policy Towards Agriculture at the Garraway Hotel.

“This consultation is not an end in itself. The end is to put a policy together and to get the policy approved by cabinet and we hope that that can occur sometime around Easter,” he said.

According to Douglas, if that can be done and “we don’t see any reason why not”, the policy would be ready for the new fiscal year (beginning July 1st), and it would be useful in the implementation of programs and projects.

“We hope we can have a draft document by the end of January so that beyond that we have something tangible that persons can look at”.

He also mentioned that the setting up of a public policy began in 2007 but “for a variety of reasons the actual approval of the policy did not take place. Now I would like to call that water under the bridge. But I want to give you the assurance that we are building on the solid foundation that was laid by their efforts, people who are actually in this room today,” he stated.

Douglas noted, however, that there are “a set of crucial milestones prior to getting to that point,” such as ensuring that the policy is relevant and there is a dialogue between officials and stakeholders.

He also called for more young people to study agriculture so that it can get its rightful place at the top.

Addressing the same function, acting National Authorizing Officer (NAO) for the European Development Fund Lisa Valmond said that crucial to the attainment of the objectives of the agriculture policy is to increase the productivity of the sector and that will only be derived from increased investment. “Recognizing this, the European Union has committed to investing EC$ 54 million over a five-year period under the Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM).” The (BAM) is a series of measures aimed at strengthening the viability of agriculture and increasing its productivity and competitiveness.

Valmond, too, added her voice in commending the move and stated that one of the major issues which emerged during the programming phase of the BAM was the lack of an agriculture policy and therefore its urgent need in order to guide the priorities for European Union funding. The funding was a means of boosting the agricultural sector.

Participants at the consultation on agriculture
Participants at the consultation on agriculture

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15 Comments

  1. January 16, 2014

    Agriculture is seen as a joke for those people. What a shame.

  2. Truth be Told
    January 16, 2014

    “He also mentioned that the setting up of a public policy began in 2007 but “for a variety of reasons the actual approval of the policy did not take place.” All I can say is ‘oh my God’! How on earth do we expect to develop the nation when we cannot even put policies in place to develop the most important sector in our economy. Honestly heads should roll on this matter. You guys should all be fired! I cannot believe this! If a manager had reported this nonsense to his boss in a private sector company he would be sent home for incompetence! Do you see the problem Dominicans? Can you see what is really wrong with the way our country is being mismanaged, while all of you playing damn fools politics? Dominica suffers!

  3. Anonymous
    January 16, 2014

    Two interesting quotes coming out from the news clip “the setting up of a public policy began in 2007 but for a variety of reasons the actual approval of the policy did not take place. Now I would like to call that water under the bridge.”!!!

    “One of the major issues which emerged during the programming phase of the BAM was the lack of an agriculture policy and therefore its urgent need in order to guide the priorities for European Union funding”

    • Truth be Told
      January 16, 2014

      It is unbelieveable! How do Dominicans no matter what political party one supports can read this and not weep for our country? How can they read this and not be angry at these incompetent fools! Yet they are educated men!?

  4. Anonymous
    January 15, 2014

    just another place where these man can come to drink their juice and cold water.

  5. pedro
    January 15, 2014

    After 14 years of working for themselves, the Labour Government just realize they must work for the people. It’s too late. Change is a must.

  6. Gary
    January 15, 2014

    Why is it that such an important policy like this took so long to be implemented.This is one of the reasons for the failure and under performance of The Agriculture Industry,all past Governments are to be blamed.I have always believed that there should be a comprehensive policy with a timetable and goals,not only words, a feasible plan to be followed.

    I hope that when such policy is drafted The farmers and stakeholders get to give their input and not just The bureaucrats.It should also be noted we need a National food guide based on what we grow and produce.

  7. anon
    January 15, 2014

    Admin, I believe the heading should say ‘completion’

    Admin: Thanks. Corrected.

  8. Next Gen
    January 15, 2014

    Good job

  9. Mamizoo
    January 14, 2014

    How many of these agricultural policies that these people have done so far. Now can we imagine a government in office for 14 years in a country where the growth potential is weighted on agriculture- we are nw hearing about agriculture policy.
    What is interesting is that the think tank is a collection of people who have presided over the demise of agriculture.

    I have to comment on the position of Eisenhower Douglas- what a shame. This guy has a Doctorate in economics and Skerrit shipping him out to agriculture to be Mathew Walters permanent secretary. I wonder why? Now this is a Douglas who publically sided with the crooks in government against another Douglas. I wonder why? Why is a doctoral economist not leading the charge from the ministry of finance. I guess someone with a degree in English supposedly is better able to direct the economy. Wonder why the economy is scratching rock bottom.

    • south east voice/MJ
      January 15, 2014

      well said..we should expect nothing different from these guys ..we are in a country Govern by guys who are looking for themselves and no one else , but time will tell

    • lula
      January 15, 2014

      I was wondering the same. Dr. Douglas is an economist that man is so bright what d hell is he doing in agriculture.

    • Anonymous
      January 15, 2014

      His DICTORATE is in Agricultural Economics…so I think its applicable…I guess you didnt know that part.

    • Anonymous
      January 15, 2014

      His doctorate is in agricultural economics by the way.

  10. forkit
    January 14, 2014

    oh so if there was no policy on agriculture lennox, farmers, mr louis, aaron and the others were right when they spoke on the farmers programe….

    failed state

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