Farmers receive protective equipment

Some of the equipment donated
Some of the equipment donated

Thanks to the European Union-funded Banana Accompanying Program (BAM), some 50 Local famers will benefit from over EC$30,000 worth of safety and personal protective equipment.

The farmers are part of a program – DOM-GAP-, which is a national farm certification program based on a national GAP protocol that will allow for the certification of fresh local produce to be exported to both the regional and international markets.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony at the Dominica Export and Import Agency (DEXIA)’s pack house located in Roseau on Thursday, BAM Program Officer, Angus Mc Intyre, said the ceremony was significant.

“It is significant because it is part of the activities that will lead to the success of the BAM Program,” he noted, explaining that the BAM is aimed at advancing competitiveness and productivity of the agricultural sector in Dominica.

“Handing over of equipment to the Burreau of Standards today is aligned with that objective especially because it is part of the plan of action for the environmental, worker standards and also incorporating the quality aspect of produce being exported from Dominica,” he stated.

He said the gesture “may look simple” but “I can assure you that with this gesture, it is an integral part of the total development taking place within the agricultural sector in Dominica.”

Director of Agriculture Ricky Brumant, who also addressed the ceremony, said he is pleased with the donation.

“We know the benefits,” he said. “We know the goodness of it, the effectiveness of this certification program will ensure that not only 50 farmers will be trained in the process but it will certainly have the domino effect to the wider farming community.”

The Director of Agriculture noted that they are at a point where unless the farmers and farms are certified and things are done right, “it would be difficult to sell on the international market.”

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4 Comments

  1. Jayson
    May 31, 2015

    Something is definitely wrong with this picture. This is Dominica we dealing with right?

    Dominica has a snake tongue when it comes to agriculture. In one breath it is the nature island of the world, gardening green wholesome organic foods. In the next breath it’s receiving respirator masks to protect the farmers from the pesticides and chemicals they’re using in these very same crops! I’m sure these rubber gloves, boots and masks aren’t there to protect them from water vapor!

    And the government are telling us to ‘buy local’??!! Sounds more like you telling us to ‘buy cancer’!

    People, if you know what’s good for you, start your own backyard garden so you can know what you eat, and eat what you know.

  2. combos
    May 31, 2015

    too little too late.. but farmers you can use them when they decide to give you expired tear gas again…. this DLP administration has killed agriculture….. one of their friends made some money bringing those equipment in… trust me on that… that is why farmers are getting it now…..

  3. Dominic
    May 29, 2015

    for all u to giv farmers money to go and plant bananas u all coming with that

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      May 29, 2015

      I doubt you living in Dominica!. Or maybe you are one of the lazy ones. Why don’t you check the bank for the money you asking to go and plant bananas?

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