Minister for Agriculture, Johnson Drigo, has stated that the Cassava Subsector is a “very important” one in the Agriculture Industry, and so, will be developed to a level that will make Dominica more competitive regionally.
Speaking at the launch of a Cassava project at the Fort Young Hotel on Wednesday, June 28th, 2017, Drigo told reporters that in moving forward with developing the subsector; standards in local cassava production must be improved considering the level of competition from other Caribbean countries.
“As we move forward, we have competition out there, there are other countries producing cassava. They are beating us, not in quality, but they are beating us on the standards as far as labeling and packaging is concerned. We have to improve on our standard here … ” he said.
Drigo is hopeful that the Ministry can collaborate with a “core group of farmers” that will be dedicated to the Cassava Subsector so as to have a constant flow of the produce.
“They (core farmers) will be getting all the technical support they need to include fertilizers and all, better facilities so that they can plant their cassava over a period of time, and so we will always have cassava to harvest because this is what they are doing as their business,” Drigo stated.
Drigo is taking things a step further with Cassava as plans are being put in place to produce cassava bread, a venture that, according to him, already has the necessary equipment in place.
“We must get into the cassava being part of the bread making business in Dominica. It is being done in Barbados, in Grenada, in Trinidad, where at least forty percent of the flour for the bread is cassava flour and we must introduce that into Dominica because Dominicans eat a lot of bread,” he said.
He also said that a facility for the farmers to produce the cassava on such a level has been upgraded through the efforts of the European Union and the Government of Dominica.
“We have upgraded the facility for the farmers. The European Union invested two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in establishing two cassava processing plants, the government of Dominica invested an additional fifty thousand dollars in assisting small plants in upgrading their facility,” Drigo remarked.
He projects that one day Dominicans will go into supermarkets and purchase bread that is fifty percent wheat flour and fifty percent cassava flour.
On Wednesday, the three-year Cassava project launched in Dominica. The project, which costs US$1.2-million will introduce new improved varieties of cassava into Dominica, Trinidad, and Suriname. It will link farmers, more specifically agro-processors, to new markets.
It is being funded by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
Poor Drigo, agriculture is the least popular ministry in the cabinet so they fob it off on Drigo. Must give him a thumbs up for perseverance though and doggedly pursue a thankless task.
Dry come again? boy go back and sleep.
Drigo we are going to see if you a going to put your money where your mouth is because opening up 2 plants would be a good incentive where people will get work to do, let’s hope that you or your ministry don’t sit down and discriminate against my people, whenever the European Union gives us help it’s ment for all Dominicans and not just for some so I hope your ministry will be the first to open up your office door to the needs of all people.
I would suggest Drigo that you sit down with the famers on this incentive listen to them don’t dictate by pushing your ideas on them together you all work out good and deep agreements that will help move the Cassava industries forward we can do it, there are markets out side Dominica, concentrate not what happening in other Islands let’s make it happen in Dominica, it’s a very good plan, of cause I love the product and so are others .
Looking forward to seeing the bread on the market
man I love this cassava bread so nice
Cassava sector my foot. Just another way for Skerrit to dump money for votes. The whole thing is very degrading and it’s a turn off to see those cassava bakers baking right by the roadside, not nearly dressed, most times drunk and talking over the bread, and worse of all with all the toilet Skerrit giving there the guy just running outside when he wants to let go and without washing hands just go right back into baking. Malpwoptay
Drigo is in denial and taking Dominicans for fools. You cant fool us all the time Drigo, Skerrit will fool You with blind loyalty, but we catch up already and gave up on this Skerrit man, worthless.
All you kill agriculture
Let us move forward with it , let’s us hope this is not just talk and no action, wish all the best, let us move forward heal, and build the nation , no party politic please Dominicans let us unite election is over let us come together for the betterment of our country.