Trade Minister Ian Douglas, has called on Dominicans to make sacrifices in the interest of developing the island, especially in the area of agriculture.
He was speaking at Market Day with a Difference, which was held at the Roseau Market on Saturday.
Douglas stated that Dominicans need to condition themselves, “to make some sacrifices in the interest of our development.”
“After Tropical Storm Erika, we embraced the concept of building back better, we therefore need to continue to build back better our agricultural sector, to resolute in introducing new and good agricultural practices, to embrace holistically the farmers’ certification program and implementation of the Fresh Produce Quality Control Act so that only good quality produce reaches our market and even just as important leave our shores so that our reputation for excellent products and produce is secured and maintained,” he said.
Douglas noted that if this is done, it will “confirm our place as the food basket of the region.”
Sacrifices? How about the gov’t do something to make agriculture a viable means of income for the country? Everytime is a seminar and training. What about proper facilities, access to overseas markets (organic food is a big money maker nowadays), and help for farmers? Dominica can’t survive on passport sales.
Dominicans make enough sacrifices as we speak! The whole Caribbean and Latin American need to re define their territories to help their citizens. They all claim to want to disband from the north; yet they’re still vaunting about democracy! Politics is a continuous problem in the world; too much focus on political parties instead of the well-being of the world’s population. This is a 21st century world and democratic principles should be thrown in one of God’s oceans so the Governments’ of the world can face the issues of poverty, and income disparities!
I’m done voting to elevate these politicians who insist on maintaining the status quo instead of thinking of change.
Ian should know by now that action speaks louder than words. Many of the ministers do not put Dominica and its interests first. I know for sure that their salaries are paying for homes overseas while Dominicans at home can hardly buy a piece of land.
So it starts with you the ministers who has to invest in Da so the economy can thieve to create jobs right here in Dominica.
KShaka Zulu you said it, How can you in the rame of mind to ask for sacrifices when the waste for yourself and other ministers, officials. Supporters of the red shirts, a speaker of the house who believes that she is elected. Lead by example Mr. Douglas and time is running out to show me that you are seriou.
KShaka Zulu you said it, How can you in the rame of mind to ask for sacrifices when the waste for yourself and other ministers, officials. Supporters of the red shirts, a speaker of the house who believes that she is elected. Lead by example Mr. Douglas.
I am not sure why we have a Trade Minister because we have no trade! Can you please tell us the dollar value of Dominica’s international trade and FDI over the past decade? Okay, I will make it easier for you. Can you give us these figures for the Government’s last financial year?
OK. Lets get those food up in the USA and else where. I want natural food to eat up here.
Ian, your boss decided to spend $174,000 on a party for his friend Baroness Scotland after we were hit by Erica. Where you want o the ordinary people to make a sacrifice when they were told to suck salt by Skerrit’s guest? You have a short memory my friend and should sober up.
Tjebel Fort, Are you thick or what? Barroness Scotland words was being directed to Lennox Linton, and his rubbishing rude low grade party, not the general public.
Listen artful dodger. I knowmfor sure that that money would have been better spent on rebuilding our country after Erica. The Baroness was appointed international coordinator (or something like that) for getting us help from overseas but instead they spent big money on a fete for her and I’m still waiting to hear how much she collected for us. I don’t want to be crude and base like you but you are talking hogwash man.
..btw, have we noticed that Agriculture has remained very very primary in Dominica for more than 50 years..no value added through processing/manufacturing, no significant employment of technology and very little financial investment towards that end..
Dominica has a good opportunity to become a model island in organic farming, aquaculture (365 rivers), hydroponics etc..Land and water in abundance..Dominica could genuinely become a haven for health conscious and healthy-living brand type tourism coupled with agriculture..dubbed AgroTourism..It can be done, Government and People need to think deeply in that direction and engender investment (human and financial) in that regard..
Is this the same Ian Douglas from the line of the Agriculturist RBD? It’s kinda like a slap in the face coming from a man who’s family land, amounting to countless acres remain an eyesore on the island..sitting there unproductive..RBD would be rolling in his grave to see what became of his great plantation..
Nevertheless Ian is right about making sacrifices for country but it’s time Dominicans see some action, starting from the top..A lot of the Doctorates need to resign and go do productive work in Agriculture in DA. Ian and Eisenhower Douglas (the economist) could make a good start with a few acres down at Blenheim..
Lets start at the top, set an example, cut down that blotted carbinet
Geert Wilder, Nigel Farage & Donald Trump, are my heroes nonsense you talking Ian, why don’t you lead by example, take a cut in your salary.
what more these guys want from DOM-IN-CANS why cant they use all the passport and the other moneys they making from da to make the people happy and stop asking the people to keep giving there life to them when they not doing the work of the people there is no light as far as people can see on d/a wake up people it was on the news that people a not ready to come to Dominica not under three years because they a not happy and not please with the work that the Gov did so far from the passing of the storm but again thats what DOM-IN-CANS love them for. Thats why people keep runing to any way for a good working life Dominicas need to start to sell all the little they have to give the GOV what a big JOKE place
At what point is this government going to realize that talking alone is not going to solve any problems?
What is the government doing to foster the environment to increase agricultural production?
The people of Salisbury have been begging the government to improve the feeder road only to be faced with gun-totting policemen arresting them?
Talk is cheap my friend.
Were the feeder roads not repaired approximately one year ago? I am certain they were not ignored. So what is the problem now?
Zandoli, you said it all,Talk is cheap so why does you and your lazy workers supporters friends help repair the road on Friday 4th 2016 community day, instead of you so called Workers piss pot lazy supporters on DNO writing crap each day.
Ian it starts with you. Cut Parliamentarians salary and make a vow to increase only when country is productive. Cut speaker of house salary. Cut the amount of useless embassadors. Lead by example. People will follow.
How about cutting UWP senators and their salary?
YA SHAKA, You must be stupid as you looked, if you think your crap comment is the answer to all this man you are mad as a broom stick.