The government of Dominica has invested in agricultural sector on the island including feeder road development, infrastructure and access to finances, according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Harold Guiste.
He was addressing the 12th Annual General Meeting of the Dominica Agricultural Producers and Exporters Limted, (DAPEX) in Marigot on Thursday.
“The government of Dominica has invested in feeder roads, agricultural land, construction of packing houses, IRDC facilities, setting up marketing institutions, creating soft loans at the AID Bank and other such financial institutions,” he said.
Guiste mentioned also that the government has also put in place an Agriculture Investment Unit which offers a zero percent interest loan scheme which provides credit to the private sector for investing in fish, pork and poultry production.
And in addition to all of this, he said, government has made direct intervention in the treatment of the Black Sigatoka Disease by supplying fertilizer and other inputs farmers.
Guiste stated further that the Banana Accompany Measures (BAM) project is yet another initiative the government is using to build capacity and to engage the private sector for increasing agricultural production in several areas such as, “rehabilitation of Castle Bruce irrigation system, the completion of the Calibishie irrigation system, rehabilitation of Londonderry hardening facility…”
Meanwhile, MP for Marigot, Lennox Linton believes that DAPEX should play a greater role in decision-making in the agricultural sector.
“It shouldn’t be difficult for DAPEX to convince the Prime Minister, the leadership of our country right now that it is unfair and inexplicable not to have DAPEX with its leading role in the exports of agricultural products from Dominica involved in critical decision-making going forward for Dominica,” Linton stated.
He continued, “When I talk about that, I simply mean like the Banana Accompanying Measures, the monies that have come to us through the European Union through the facility, DAPEX needs a role in how those monies are spent because DAPEX is the leading exporter of agricultural produce out of Dominica so it should be involved.”
He added, “The stakeholders especially the government must see sense in involving DAPEX, in working with DAPEX harmoniously, productively to ensure that we accomplish good for Dominica.”
Mr.Harold Guiste i’m disappointed in you for singing this illegal corrupt government propaganda tune, because of a position given to you as a supporter to cover up for them.You know it’s all lies what you are saying..People like you who’s playing christian, helping this rogue leaders destroy the island, is as guilty.
I do not doubt that the Government has made certain level of investment in agriculture which PS Harold Guiste has highlighted.. The question is have these projects been properly implemented and what has been the impact on agricultural output.
“Guiste stated further that the Banana Accompany Measures (BAM) project is yet another initiative the government is using to build capacity and to engage the private sector for increasing agricultural production in several areas such as, “rehabilitation of Castle Bruce irrigation system, the completion of the Calibishie irrigation system, rehabilitation of Londonderry hardening facility…”
Why did these projects go wrong for them now to be rehabilitated ???Do we know before we go charging down the same road of incompetence???
I am not sure which feeder roads you guys maintain or build, but drive on any feeder road on the west coast and you will see the level of dilapidation. These roads are a mess.
Heck drive up the Layou Valley and you will see the work (or lack of) that you guys have done.
Wheel and come again Jack.
mr. guiste you work for the government. let those ministers beat their chest don’t do it for them, we all know that this government did nothing to preserve our agricultural culture that was part of our up bringing. they destroyed everything. the l’abatior etc, feeder roads…are a few of their successes they claim is yet to be finished..
Guiste speakes why bring in Lenox Linton ?