The Nature Island Pineapple Producers Ltd (NIPPA), in collaboration with the Division of Agriculture hosted a training exercise on Wednesday in sustainable pineapple production for domestic and export markets.
Dr. Vivian Moise is the Vice President of NIPPA. He explained that the workshop was specifically organised for new pineapple growers in Dominica.
“This programme is funded by the FAO and we have been working with them over the past two (2) years to develop the pineapple value chain in Dominica.
“One of the critical elements of the value chain was to expand the production base of pineapples. The people you are seeing with us today are people who have voiced oninterest in becoming pineapple farmers and they are undergoing the necessary training.”
Dr. Moise wants to see more farmers get involved in pineapple production.
“It is a profitable business to be involved: the commercial production of pineapples. It is probably one of the easier crops to grow. It has proved to be a worthwhile venture for those people who are involved in it.
“There is scope for many more farmers to be involved and those people who are hearing from me by this medium, I would encourage them to come and speak to us and we will give them the necessary information. We are looking for more people to grow pineapples in Dominica.”
Acting Director of Agriculture, Ricky Brumant has called on farmers to work collectively rather than as individuals.
“We believe that farmers have to start seeing not individual actions; yes, individual decision making on the farm but collective energy and collective actions is important, not only important for the value chain concept but important for efficient use of resources. If we were to work with farm organisations all the time, we would not have to sometimes run flat and thin. It means that we can use what we have and at one point use it for the benefit of many. We are sending that message out there that farmers in the country have to start looking at the idea of working together.”
I hope the farmers have an established market for their pineapples. If they are catering for the local market only they enjoy protection but outside Dominica it is war! In London pineapples from Costa Rica, for example are selling from £1.50 for two in the street market (approx.E.C.$.3.25 for one) to £3.00 for two in upmarket grocery store Waitrose (approx. E.C.$.6.50 for one). These These are the current retail prices in London for large fruits, which makes me wonder whether Dominican pineapples can compete outside their own borders. I wish the farmers good luck and success.
nippa tell us the truth, whats in it for us farmers do not keep all the information on the goodies for yourselves and use us only to increase production, show us the whole FAo project document.
i really hope they listen and diversify fast. we need to change with trends and that one main reason why farming has been disastrous. bananas became outdated long in the Caribbean. we cannot compete with africa on that front. yet it was our main product ten years after losing its edge. and please have multiple animal farms for meat raring
Show them you can bounce back Dr Moise.
Government try to chop you down by demolishing one of the only foreign exchange earners in soufriere/scotts head (your guest house).
Yet they are putting an addition to the sea wall in point Micheal to rebuild rum shops to keep the villagers stupid while their resources being given away at solomon.
Double standards for the same issue.
sell your land and sleep on the bus stop.
dominican your land is precious the foreingers are takeing your land for a car stuopids
dont sell your land to foriengers , and bur a car stupids
dominicans dont sell your land to forienger to buy a transport
boy that padner there blinging. i must start my little plantation too man?
The problem is not the selection of a specific crop. The problem is that there is no agricultural policy in Dominica. Where is the investments in infrastructure,farm capital, product development, young farmers, the markets,Crop protection. I am sorry, one crop will not do it.
You are one of the few on DNO who truly understands how things are built. Dr. Moise focuses on the “whats”, not the “hows”.
Notwithstanding so much negativity and doom and gloom from some quarters, it would appear that, there is beginning to be renewed energy by farmers in agriculture. There seems to be a new direction. Believing is indeed important.
It would be nice if you posted a phone# or email address and contact point when you write these articles. Have been looking for 500 pineapple plants for 1 year now with no success….
You could easily have contacted NIPPA through Dr. Moise or the Division of Agriculture at # 266 3812 or Your area extension officer.
Collective Security/Strength in Numbers, I like that Dr Moise
so if I grow pineapples is there a guaranteed market for my produce? We need to know more. The govt is a waste of time when it comes to looking out for the farmers so if you are encouraging the farmers to plant pineapples tell them where the market is.
The FAO has chosen 5 value chains in the Caribbean and NIPPA was chosen as one of the 5. So for the past 2 years, they have been putting things in place and obviously markets and marketing strategy have all been part and parcel of the project. They have markets withing the region and so can nor=w encourage farmers to come on board. But in addition to pineapple, people within the region are interested in Dominica’s produce. It is time to get back to the land, world food shortages should not affect us. Forget the Government, all those who left their land to buy a bus, what are you doing now? Catching your tails…….DOMINICA IS AGRICULTURE, lets not forget that.
Government has been integral to NIPPA’S efforts and have supported the association in many ways. If someone is not informed, maybe he/she should seek clarification and stop talking nonsense. The government will keep working with NIPPA for continued success. Thanks for the ‘DOMINICA IS AGRICULTURE’ though. You are right on this one.
to This is simple….Did the writer @ info say anything about the Government not working with NIPPA? I took the Forget the Government in the context that people should move on, back to agriculture and stop waiting for or blaming the government as people usually do. I think people should comment on the stories on DNO and not on the comments. info did not sound like nonsense to me. The bottom line is good initiative by NIPPA, FAO, Dept of Agriculture,CARDI, Bello and all concerned.