Vegetable farmers in the southern part of the island, who were affected by the heavy rains and flooding on December 24th, 2013, will soon receive assistance from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
On Wednesday morning IICA launched a project which is geared at rehabilitating vegetable plots damaged during the storm.
Speaking at the launch, Technical Specialist at IICA, Kent Coipel, said the project will place focus on vegetable farmers in Morne Prosper and Giraudel.
“The recent low level system on 24th December caused considerable damage to the farming sector within the southern districts,” he said. “Heavy and persistent rainfall caused flooding and damage to infrastructure including roads, sheds and nurseries.”
According to him, both communities are the center of vegetable production in the southern district.
“Most of the farmers supply the local markets and supermarkets with vegetables on a weekly basis,” he said. “Additionally, in Morne Prosper, farmers are involved in processing of seasoning and condiments and it is expected a low production of seasoning and condiments as a result of the disaster will affect the processing of these commodities.”
In light of this, IICA has responded by committing US$10,920 to support these farmers. The overall objective of the project is to facilitate the increase in rural income particularly among the rural farmers affected by the trough system.
The main activities of the project include the procurement of necessary inputs, establishing of seedling nurseries and, as such, engagement in production of seedlings.
“It is expected that the project will improve the capacities of the farmers to improve their income and gain domestic market shares as their farms are rehabilitated,” Coipel explained. “We also expect to strengthen the capacity of these farmers to follow climate proofing methodologies thereby ensuring that their farms are more climate resilient.”
He added that a climate change project entitled “Reducing the impact of climate change on agriculture” is currently being implemented in Dominica. Coipel explained that the project is expected to enhance institutional capacity to promote climate-smart agriculture in the Caribbean region.
“One of the outputs is to draft a country roadmap for the implementation of a climate proofing process for selected agricultural subsectors in Dominica and I must admit that vegetable farming is one of the selected commodities that we intend to climate proof,” he said.
Are we really serious. What can $29,000, do for so many vegetable farmers in those areas, this is insulting the farmers, come on. IICA is that the best that you can do? That just tells us the level of importance is placed on the farming community. Alas Father! Put a hand on our country.
If we say that EC$29,668.54 (US$10,920) will be distributed among the top 29 veg farmers from the Southern part of the island… somebody do the math (and trust me, there is more productive veg farmers in the South than that!!!). Where are the affected veg farmers from Bellevue Chopin, (Grand bay -Motin, Morpo, etc) Bagatelle, etc, etc… Don’t we not see them REGULARLY at the Roseau market!!!! Better yall had take that money and organized a session on how we can get CROP INSURANCE (for non banana crops) off the ground…. Was that not the idea discussed in Antigua some years past at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture…. What is so innovative and SUSTAINABLE about giving affected farmers US$10,920 supposingly to increase production….
When will the other people get assistance who were displaced from their homes? Some people have been helped, but others are still waiting with no news….
Garson then fellas doh tired abuse agriculture and the farmers? That is all the money they have to share with the poor people? Just maybe if all these vehicles were not being given DUTY FREE there would be enough money to pay the farmers. But Change is NOT an option…
“I AM FOR CHANGE, ARE U?”
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
my foot
Don’t get me wrong, but please enlighten me as to how far US$10,920.00 can ‘stretch’ to assist the vegetable farmers from Morne Prosper and Giraudel.
Agriculture is really not a priority in this country.