Less talk, more action needed in agriculture Drigo says

 

Drigo said action is needed in agriculture
Drigo said action is needed in agriculture

Agriculture Minister, Johnson Drigo, has challenged those involved in the agriculture industry “to put some action where their mouth is” in order to move it forward.

Drigo said at a press conference that the government is committed to agriculture but stakeholders must prove their commitment to its success.

“So we know the market for bananas, it is there,” he stated. “We know we’ve done well with bananas in the past. There is no time for too much talking, it is time for action. So all those who are interested in ensuring that the banana industry succeeds should put some action where their mouth is and let us all contribute to the revitalization, for want of a better word, of the banana industry.”

He noted that the government is committed to the success of the banana industry and has always supported it.

“As a matter of fact, I am not sure if there is any other government in the region who is making so much direct cash investment to private organizations in support of the banana industry, like this government,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Drigo wants farmers’ groups to be started around the island.

“The farmer’s groups have worked very well in the past, where the farmers they come together, form themselves not only in cooperatives but in community-based farmer’s group where they support each other, they meet regularly, they learn from each other, they source inputs on their own and they support their industry,” he stated. “So I am encouraging all the farmer’s groups around the island to really reconvene, come back together to discuss your livelihood.”

He said that after certain “bottle necks” concerning BAM (Banana Accompanying Measures) have been settled, there are $54-million available for supporting the agriculture sector.

“And therefore we must have our farmers well motivated and ready to take advantage of these opportunities,” Drigo said.

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36 Comments

  1. TOFFEE CITY
    January 22, 2015

    ARE YOU SERIOUS… drigo your government has done nothing except create poverty and enrich themselves. you as part of the crew let agriculture die and you want to say enough talk… boy if we did not talk you would not even know it have a work “AGRICULTURE”.

    • TOFFEE CITY
      January 22, 2015

      not work but word

  2. Dawn
    January 21, 2015

    Has Drigo ever written a policy statement much less a program protocol in his entire life? Why would someone with such void head such an important ministry? Well folks that is it for Agriculture in our land for now!!!!!

  3. Malgraysa
    January 21, 2015

    Mr. Drigo, who is doing the talking and putting out statements in a perversion of the truth? As recent as one week before the election, you own mr. Ryan Anselm in an interview with the Observer* of Antigua claimed that “Dominica has the preferred fruit , which is of, a higher quality when compared to others”. The head of your plant protection and quarantine unit also said that production would increase in the first and second quarter of 2015. Mr. Drigo, we are already 1/3 through the first quarter? Where is this increase in production? I hear you speaking but only after the silent return of our P.M, and its sounds like his words coming from your mouth, typically putting the blame for our failure anywhere but at his door.

    * Observer, 3 Dec., 2014 – Dominica: We can handle banana competition

  4. Hunty
    January 20, 2015

    If talk was action, Dominica would be rich. Its the Dlp who killed bananas n everything in Dominica. Dominica is in a very bad state you know. Poor people.just cant do the maths.
    The minister of agriculture should ask for an investigation into the banana industry n bad leadership. One can remember, days gone by when DMBC was big . Money was flowing. Now fig dead, labour took 14 years to kill de industry. Can you believe, the now talking bout action. The best action is for this aimless, clueless n reckles government to call elections n get out of sight.
    Waiting to hear Skerritt n his cronies to talk out of turn for me to shot them up.
    Mr Drigo, start resurrecting agriculture.in ya constituency. All you have down there is Bush n wild vine called kappey.
    Blood clot , why poor people. Blood clot man, the people not the enemy… Blood clot the government killing the country, leave me alone,, Blood clot, according Hunter,”s song.
    Blood clot in agriculture.

  5. January 20, 2015

    Hon. Drigo, I’m in agreement with you totally because, when you say there is too much talk , you are actually referring to yourself and your party which is in Govt. when you say action is needed I could not agree with you more, serious work is needed. There is a need for a massive feeder road repair project and getting the farmers to return to all the idle agricultural lands and of course zoning the Island in regards as to where the different crops will thrive best and Mr. Minister lets all join hands and down with the nasty dirty politics

  6. nigel
    January 20, 2015

    This guy isn’t saying much. “Put words into action” What does that even mean? A plan has to be layed out and forwarded to all interested party and then you go from there. The plan needs to be revised, tested, then implemented along with suggestions from interested parties. What is the purpose of the Agriculture Ministry is they can’t come up with a plan of action. Throwing money at a problem is not always the solutions

    • Osanna Mowanga
      January 21, 2015

      i wonder if the minister of Agriculture knows the definition of agriculture?
      Lord have mercy. Is agriculture only planting bananas?
      Poor Dominica. Agriculture fe-ne- bat.

  7. Erasmus B. Black
    January 20, 2015

    Shh! Quiet please! There is a new Minister for Agriculture on the stage and he needs total silence while he poses, spins around in circles, takes a deep breath, pinches himself, tries to keep calm, relax, remember and understand what a strategic plan is or wonder if he’s in over his head.

  8. Lang Mama
    January 20, 2015

    One question we must ask is who are and where are the farmers. The answer is the farmers were destroyed. A generation of farmers destroyed by the Labor Party government. So when Drigo talk who is he appealing to. This is a government that told farmers that they should forget about it; that agriculture is a has been and tourism is the way. Now we are hearing from them it Ithe farmers fault. What balls these guys have. Truly unbelievable

  9. Mamizoo
    January 20, 2015

    Not one hint of humility and acceptance of neglect by the government. That tells me that Drigo must take the advise himself.
    if you want less talk Drigo you must be prepared to be humble and adopt an all inclusiveness approach. So far it is the same arrogance and immaturity

  10. Francisco Telemaque
    January 20, 2015

    The problem with you people “the labor party;” is that you live in the past: because we did well in the past selling bananas, does not mean we are going to do well in the future! He talks about a market for bananas: I wish to ask that guy where is the market?

    If you are talking about the European market, you are into realm sleep, which occurs just before the darkest our of the night; dream on for as long as you and Skerrit wish, nevertheless; when the bottom of the economy drops out, and the economy collapse, then the cry will be we should have industrialized the country. If there is a lesson to be learnt about the dependency on Bananas, that curriculum can be obtained from the people of Jamaica which agricultural industry collapsed way back in the late 1970’s Jamaica once exported more bananas than all of the Windward islands yet they are out of the agricultural business.

    • Mamizoo
      January 20, 2015

      Francisco there are markets for bananas. We don’t have preferential treatment anymore on the European market but we have access. In fact for the last 14 years we have not been meeting our quota. Are you aware that countries in Caribbean who were not exporting bananas; the DR and Haiti are examples.

      • Francisco Telemaque
        January 20, 2015

        “Are you aware that country in Caribbean who were not exporting bananas; the DR and Haiti are examples.”

        Well, if you are talking examples of countries not exporting bananas, I can add Uganda in Africa, to the list, no point in talking about Jamaica I’ve done that many times, however, I need to introduce you to the nations in South, and Central America. Even if the market is there as you claim; can you please explain to me why the Jamaicans, abandoned the industry in the late 1970’s Give me an idea as to why Dole the South American Banana producers, the once largest producer, abandoned their quest to monopolized the European Market!

        They seek preferential treatment, and could have got it: along the way they withdrew, the reason is they are aware of the demise of the plant, in addition to that their is very little profit in the sale bananas sold in Europe; if you spend $10.00 to produce one stem of banana, and in return you get $0.50 cents on each stem sold; would you say…

      • Malgraysa
        January 20, 2015

        The Dominican Republic is the largest supplier of bananas to the E.U. with 300,000 tons in 2013 alone. Haiti too is reviving its banana industry. In the latter half of 2014 local company Agritrans S.A. planted 280,000 seedlings on 2,721 acres in the Trou Nord area to produce organic fruit, primarily targeted at the European market but also other Caribbean islands. The first containers of fruit are expected to be shipped by July of this year. Also Dole are investing in the industry in Haiti as a source of supply for their markets.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      January 20, 2015

      ” just before the darkest our of the night”

      That should read “just before the darkest hour of the night.”

      • Francisco Telemaque
        January 20, 2015

        If you spend $10.00 to produce one stem of banana, and in return you get $0.50 cents on each stem sold; would you say the profit is reasonable enough to keep you in business? Dominicans can hang on to that mess, live in the past if they wish. Whereas you have identified the Dominican Republic, and Haiti as former exporters of Bananas, I suggest you review the economy of the Dominican Republic, in particular, and compare it to ours you may find, that twin island nation are far more developed than “The Commonwealth of Dominica, in every respect!

        This means their prosperity derived not from the sale of agricultural produce, tradition is one thing reality is another!

    • anonymous2
      January 20, 2015

      I suggest that DA diversify and not depend on one crop. It should have markets for other produce in the Caribbean and should take full advantage of the opportunity before depending on long distance markets.

      • Titiwi
        January 21, 2015

        Depend on one crop? Carcon, we don’t even produce other crops enough for our own market, never mind export. Yesterday I saw imported tomatoes (from U.S.A) in one of our leading supermarkets at over $6.00/lb and not a locally grown tomato in sight! Potatoes, coming from Guadeloupe of all places! You would expect local oranges plentiful but no, imported apples instead. People fighting for a head of lettuce on saturday market. Our agriculture is on its deathbed for true.

    • Mamizoo
      January 21, 2015

      My point got truncated. I meant to imply that DR and Haiti were not exporting bananas and are now exporting Bananas. This is meant to show that there are available markets for bananas.
      I am not sure why Francisco wants to talk about Jamaica abandoning bananas in the 70 . This does not prove anything when it was in the 80 that we saw magnificent success in bananas. Dole and chickita is still there and St Lucia had record numbers in banana exports.

      • Francisco Telemaque
        January 22, 2015

        I hope you read this: I came to Los Angeles on May 6th 1980, the fifth month in the year 1980, if they abandoned the industry prior to the fifth month in 1980, that means they indeed abandoned the industry somewhere in the 1970’s. They also had lots of money invested in the dairy (milk) industry, because of the lack of a market for their milk outside of Jamaica, the abandoned that industry also.

        Anything I comment on can be verified, and authenticated!

  11. Derryck
    January 20, 2015

    It seems that it is this minister who is doing all the talking with no action. Why is it these folks sound so arrogant? of course the farmers have to step up as well, but now he is sounding like his Govt has been so proactive. Are we so gullible?

  12. dwellington
    January 20, 2015

    Don’t make sense when all you give us is compound sign language. If you knew how to make composte your toyota would not have needed a push.

  13. grell
    January 20, 2015

    Drigo you are Skerrit lates victim,Kelvar is still no.one talk with no flames.Blame other people for Skerrit failing regime.

  14. January 20, 2015

    Smh. Drigo talking to drigo. We need a :Massive and comprehsive over haull of the entire agriculture industry, with a view to welcoming every one willing to step up to takevadvantage of the oportunity island wide to resurect the industry, waiting for five more years to do something will have all hopes dashed. As per Drigo more action less talk. We all in this together.

    • anonymous2
      January 20, 2015

      Unfortunately, it may be the same election result in 5 yrs. The last election was a major milestone.

  15. Derick Gonsalves
    January 20, 2015

    Very good mister minister great news

  16. Drigo
    January 20, 2015

    speak for yourself and the labor party.

  17. Shameless
    January 20, 2015

    “So we know the market for bananas, it is there,” he stated. “We know we’ve done well with bananas in the past. There is no time for too much talking, it is time for action……….”

    Come on Mr. John- Dont-Know! Only now you acknowledging that the market for bananas is there? Only now you know that this nation has done well with bananas in the past? Now how the hell you telling us there is no time for talking when you all are the ones who killed the industry and have us talking! Are you trying to shut us up so you all (DLP) cannot or will not be held accountable for putting banana in a state of lagonee? Well sir John-dont-know, you and your “chosen one” will our voices from the highest mountain top to the deepest valley until banana resurrect! Now get busy and YOU stop talking!

    Assertive, NOT Aggressive! :twisted:

    • Titiwi
      January 20, 2015

      Mr. Drigo, of course there are markets for bananas, even a child knows that. The problem is that they are not waiting on Dominica to supply them. Whilst we have been asleep they have made sure they have reliable alternative suppliers and we will have to fight to get established again. Not so easy brother!

  18. Help My unbelief
    January 20, 2015

    I want to support and agree with Mr. Drigo but I have a hard time doing so because he is sending mixed messages. Example, who does he mean by “those involved in the agriculture industry”? Is he referring to himself as the minister, his administration, or those employed by the ministry of agriculture? He sure not referring to farmers since they have been put on the back foot. He and his government need to stop talking and start acting.
    He went on to say ” I am not sure if there is any other government in the region who is making so much direct cash investment to private organizations in support of the banana industry, like this government.” “Private industry” is very interesting here sir. Who exactly did this administration invest in? Private? Are those private industries banana farmers or party supporters? Can you name those private industries sir?
    “The farmer’s groups have worked very well in the past.” what year did they stop meeting? Was it because of lack of dlp? Help my…

  19. NacVibes
    January 20, 2015

    Well if that is the sum of the press conference no wonder the industry is on it’s last legs.

  20. source
    January 20, 2015

    Drigo you talking too much. Action we want to see. All you have done is talk and made promises smh.

    • FAST N FURIOUS
      January 20, 2015

      If he wasn’t talking you and your likes would say you all are not hearing from him.

  21. Plywood
    January 20, 2015

    No talk. No action. It is what it is.

  22. Good Hope Farmer
    January 20, 2015

    Mr Drigo,

    Please Sir, tell us who does ALL THE TALKING with No action. Isn’t it the government that you are PROUDLY part of Mr Drigo?

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