Unfortunate, misleading and mischievous are words used by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Walter to describe suggestions that he and his ministry are responsible for the “poor performance” of the banana and agriculture industry.
In recent times, the government, particularly the agriculture ministry has been blamed for the current decline in the industry. Critics have said that not enough measures are being taken to revive agriculture, and that farmers are being neglected.
In a statement read at a press conference held at the Ministry of Finance conference room yesterday, Walter dispelled such comments and said that they are a cause for concern.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is concerned and dismayed at comments made by certain banana officials in the media, in particular, those who purport that the Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture in Dominica are largely responsible for the ”present poor performance of the Industry” Walter said in his statement.
“ This is most unfortunate and misleading. Any attempt to blame the Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture for the continuing challenges faced by banana farmers is mischievous and must be dispelled forcefully,” Walter said.
He noted that many factors, which include the change of trading regimes and loss of preferential market for windward island crops, have brought about the current state of affairs of the industry.
He said that such facts cannot be changed or challenged, not even by those wishing to blame him and his ministry for the industry’s misfortune.
“The industry has had to undergo significant changes both in terms of crop technology and management practices on the one hand, and marketing arrangements on the other. The present state of affairs of the banana sub-sector is a clear indication of changes in the trading regime for bananas … which is governed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and to which the Europeans had to comply,” the minister stated.
“The effects of the loss of preferential market access were predicted many years ago. Farmers and industry stakeholders were well informed of the impacts that this was going to have on rural agriculture and the national economies of the Windward Islands,” according to him.
The minister highlighted several assistant programs and concessions that the Government has allowed in order to support the industry over the years. He mentioned the Post Hurricane Dean Recovery Programme where over $5 million in aid was issued to locals within the agricultural sector.
“Financing of Technical Assistance ($300,000) is another area through which assistance were provided to agro-processing ventures. For example, assistance was provided to; design agro-processing equipment, herbal product development, confectionery development, virgin coconut oil development, farine and toloman development…” Walter noted.
“To date approximately EC$ 25 million was invested in agricultural diversification and rural development activities,” the agriculture minister added.
Walter also mentioned an Implemented the Rural Credit Facility with a 50/50 grant and loan facility, which serves as a direct cash injection into the agriculture sector.
“The Banana Industry / Rural Development Programme which consists of: Irrigation and drainage; ($6M)New Inland Reception and Distribution Centres (IRDCs) at WoodBridge Bay and Long House Portsmouth and one renovated at Marigot; ($8.2M) … Improved Farm Access Roads. Over 10 miles of farm access roads were rehabilitated,” he informed.
What do you expect. Leaders always takes the blame for what is under his authority. Take a nice long guess about Mr. Walters..was never a leader and will never be one.
i am sad to read about the state of the arigculture in da people be care full you don’t lose the best of dominica be cause we are not willing to put our hands to the plow and think we can depend on tourisum for our livelhood .i really miss having my dominica dasheen to eat. big up to all my fellow dominican. GOD BLESS YOU.
@Eyes Wide Open:
My thoughts exactly. These areas would provide so many opportunities for employment. Instead a coffee plant is being applauded, when we do not cultivate coffee on such a scale…I smell something fishy.
Walter should take this as positive criticism and strive to do better. But hey, he still getting his salary and perks, so what the h%*l!!
@winston warrington: I wish every one was objective as you are. Dominica farmers want the land, the seeds, the fertilizer, the workers, roads, vehicle, water, breakfast, lunch, dinner and then will stick us with some BS product covered with dirty soil.
Such a shame, I look at this man and I`m so disgusted. He went to that meeting for agricultural ministers and was told that Domnica exports garbage, and instead of defending our industry, our products; he comes back and tries to pass blame on others. Sir you are a very humble man. Your ministry is RESPONSIBLE for the agricultural industry, that`s waht it means to have a ministry of agriculture, and if the industry is on a decline, it reflects on your performance as the head of that department. Let me see, in that ten years of this labor party government, how has the industry improved? Were there any plans to install up-to-date agroprocessing plants for our citrus, vegetable and other produce? Why are we accepting a coffee plant when that is a minority produce as far as Dominica is concerned?
Instead of having all the limes, oranges and grapefruits just spoiling in the fields, why don`t we put in place a juicing and packaging plant, I mean Barbados has Pine Hill juice and has to import fruits to make these. People something like this would be so good for the country. Instead of selling the vegtables how we do in the market, why don`t we package them in vaccum sealed bags and sell to the supermarkets here and abroad. Instead of just selling the fig and ground provision how they are, why can`t it be cleaned and put in vacuum sealed bags to preserve them and export, people we need to look to the higher level, not just the next level, but a higher level. We produce so much in Dominica. Our cocoa, why arent we exporting, why can`t try to find a market with companys like carbury, nestle, like St. Lucia and Grenada has.
This is the way to go. Instead of running away from agriculture and putting all our enery into tourism, why can`t we look at all these possibilitès that agriculture can provide. I mean just look at colgate-palmolive, formerly know as Dominica Coconut products, they can`t even get enough copra from dominica farmers, they have to resort to importing from Guyana people. We are losing our livelyhood people, because believe it or not, the fall of the agriculture industry means the fall of dominica.To ensure that our industry`s survival, we need to put mechanisms in place to assist the farmers. They can`t do all the work themselves. The cannot be toiling in the fields whole day everyday, and still have to be occupied with production, processing and marketing their producuts. We want things to get better, agroprocessing plants need to be built for each sector of agruclture, be it fruit juicing, begetable packaging, canning etc.., provision packaing canning, fish packaging, meat packing plant, dairy processing etc.. We need to get serious if we want to compete. We also need to put in place an agency to test the quality of the procuts we wish to export, to test the nutritional content and ensure a low level of contaminants like pesticides etc… We need to get serious, we need to get serious. And Mr. Minister stop trying to pass blame, instead you should always try to give a good days work for a good days pay and encourage your staff to do the same.
people open your eyes.
The effort by the government to eliminate the agricultural sector was and is still a well thought of political strategy. Think of it, 10 years ago, agriculture was the backbone of the economy. All country people were ‘big man’ buying brand new pick ups and building wall houses, sending the peasants children to school in town and universities. remember “country bookie.” then came the workers’ and took over the reign of government by storm… the strategist like tony astaphans and the nassief one that became minister could not let poor peasants children run tings… down with agriculture… remember the Has “been industry” phrase. Then what?, no more fig , no more dasheen not even local chickens in the back yard anymore… then here step in the mafia skerrit(in jamaica they call them ” de dan”) to give people in wesley free school bus, laplaine free school bus, grand fond free school bus, st.joe free school bus…red clinic. then here they go voting labour. the strategy has worked. so mathew walters calling our product garbage is of no consequence, labourites death to that, -“a culture of laziness” raymond blackmore , labourites clapping to that… the strategy is working… wait and see in the next budget allocation will be made to have a fleet of vehicles drop off ration in all the 18 labour constituencies.. mark my words..ah so we come, the next level.
Usually, ministries are given to people who are qualified or who has the experience and can make a meaningful contribution towards the development of the country, but not this administration.
Only the PM knows through/by which criteria the present individuals where chosen to “man” the ministries they were given. So ridiculous.
I wonder if the minister of Agriculture ever had a backyard garden muchless ….
So we come .
Matthew Walter must do the honorable thing and resign as minister of agriculture. Where in the world can the person responsible for such an important sector of the economy make the stupid statements that this incompetent minister has been making and still hold a job?
Walter does not know whether he is coming or going and because of that the agriculture industry is on its dying bed and Walter is totally incapable of reviving it.
Over the last few weeks I had the opportunity to visit agricultural farms in Mopo in Grand Bay, Stone Hill in Belles, Ti Grand Fond in Grand Fond, Newfoundland, Castle Bruce, all the stories were the same, dilapidated feeder roads, abandoned banana fields, and abandonement of other crops. It looks like Dominica is expecting the end of the World, there is no future, we are the last generation, so we have given up on production, not even to feed ourselves.
Meanwhile, Matthew Walter is saying don’t blame him, because since 1994 he saw it coming.
Please, this is not politics, this is Dominica’s future, this is our survival, Dominicans should not allow incompetence to reign supreme in their government.
Matthew Walter must GOOO!!!!
Seriously speaking, we need to forgive Mr. Walters, he is not aware of his surroundings, and has no one to guide him in the right direction, since none of these guys care about Agriculture. It is very sad, but true. Just recall what happened to the fertilizer and the sheer arrogance of the Minister before Mr. Walter. These guys have absolutely no respect for the people of Dominca. They just continue to do as they please without a care. This is just how I see it.
Well said Petra. I often wonder whether the Minister understands his role in that Ministry. He makes a fool of himself everytime he opens his mouth to talk Agriculture. He has no plan, no vision for the Industry, but he just continuously puts words together incoherently. It is quite shameful to have Mr. Walter as the Minister for Agriculture.
Oh so that’s where the UWPites have been hiding out? lol
Got to admit though Matthew Walter is an easy target. Agriculture in d/a has gone to the dogs and it’s happened on his watch
THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT WALTER THE PROBLEM IS THE THE GOVEERNMENT AT LARGE. THE MENTALITY NOF THIS GOVERNMENT IS TO REMAIN BEGGARS , SEEKING CRUMBS FRO CHAVEZ AND THE PERSONAL UNDERTABLE DEALS WITH THE CHINESE . AGRICULTURE MEANS NOTHING TO SKERRIT AND HIS BAND OF COWBOYS. HOW CAN WE SHOW SUCH NEGLECT TO OUR FARMERS THE BACKBONE OF OUR NATION. THINGS ARE HAPPENING IS THE DLP SLOGAN – I DO AGREE WITH THAT. WHAT IS HAPPEN ING IS THAT THE COUNTRY IS MOVING IN REVERSE .
I RECALL ONE LABOR PARTY SUPPORTER AND CAMPAIGN PERSONNEL SAID THAT AN AGUARIAN SOCEITY IS DOOMED – WHAT A BUNCH NONESENSE.. I ACTUALLY PINCHED MY FACE TO INSURE THAT I WAS NOT DAY DREAMING.IT WAS THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY THAT TOOK US OUT OF THE RAMAGES OF HURRICANE DAVID. IT WAS THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY THAT BROUGHT US THE BEST ECONOMIC TIMES 1986- 1993
@LISTEN: Well said. Shame on them!
I have never seen such incompetence in a long time, this Minister of Agriculture should resign. Agriculture is at its lowest, farmers are crying for help and all the minister can do is stand aside and blame farmers. He mentioned that money was injected into agriculture but where is the accountability for all the money spent or given out (as handouts for votes). This is sheer slackness! The ministry of agriculture is singing sankey under the present administration because they have no agriculture policy or are operating under policies of the 1960’s.
We have persons heading departments in the ministry who have no training in the said areas – placed there by political appointment. If we compare our ministry of agriculture to that of another in the Caribbean we will see how short we will come up. Could you believe in a day as today there is no food security program in place, instead we accepting a coffee plant from Venezuela who will supply the raw materials, and we have so much fruits and vegetables going to waste. Why didn’t we ask for an agro processing plant instead? This minister needs to shut up, roll back his sleeves and put in some hard LABOUR to save agriculture. I am fed up with his hollow a speeches – Get to work!
@Anonymous: Anonymous?…that’s very good,but alas, can you make me proud of you for a change by sticking to that premise?..Please don’t flip-flop and say something contrary to that comment…I’ll even pay you money..(lol)…
Your friend,
Uptown Rebel!!!.
wALTER both you and your govt are to be blamed.
@castthefirststone: @castthefirststone: Well said….you could not have stated it better……It’s because i don’t have the time to lambaste that meat headed and incompetent nincompoop of an Agr.Minister, who should be fired or simply resign from the Ministry of Agriculture by the way…………Repulsive!
Clearly he is not the right man for the job!.
@Following their master like poddles: Who cares? yo are so correct. What a dumb Minister and cabinet. Ridiculed as Minister of Agriculture for exports of garbage, he feels good thinking it is the farmers and huckster who are being blamed. It is his incompetence that is being questioned. The blind acceptance of the coffee plant from Chavez is a clear indication of GOVT not knowing what to do as far as agriculture is concerned. FOOD INSECURITY is becoming a reality under this guys. Remember Haiti was the food basket of the Caribbean at one time? Check out what has happened to Haiti at this time and its total dependence of food from outside. Poverty ensues. Farmers are becoming poorer, while those guys are enriching themselves in all kinds of ways. But who cares? Certainly not that Minister or his GOVT.
@joe blow: Dominica has the weakest Minister of Agriculture in its history and in the entire Caribbean, so what do we expect. But at the end of it all, Walter and his ilk receive their salary at the end of the month, whether or not Dominica’s agriculture is going down the drain. What is sad is that some rural folks and farmers support those incompetent Ministers, even when our food insecurity is getting worse. Imagine Dominica importing vegetables from Miami in 2010 when many farmers invested in greenhouses to produce those same vegetables. Dominicans are consciously enriching the farmers of the US while our poor farmers get poorer. That is the state of Agriculture and our farmers continue to be fooled in believing that Matthew Walter and his GOVT are interested in their well being. Without Agriculture doing good and getting back on its feet, many of those fellas pockets getting fatter from tax payers money and other means.
@Following their master like poddles: The agriculture Minister admonishing the Dominican farmers for his incompetence. Only in Dominica. It is obvious that since he is not running for the next election, he dont give a hoot.
let us wake up fellow dominicans.handouts are now non existant and your apron string attached to england has been cut.now we have never practiced any form of agriculture in dominica it has always been subsistance farming ask the present PS he knows.however in the past lets say the 70’ts or 80’ts we were much more successful and innovative at what we did with our farming industry and that was because we had a cadre of trained, comitted and and profisional indivudials and leaders in the ministry of agri eg oliver grell, Harris, Robinson and a few before them. now just look around and see who we have leading in key leadership and policy making positions. the blind leading the blind.
Dominican farmers are requesting, feeder roads, subsidised fertilizer, free irrigation, free marketing and representation while paying no taxes to produce a mere fraction above subsistence level, poor quality, ungraded and blemished products. Domnicain Fou!
There is no one blinder than he who just wont see, thats all i can for Walter. Dominica must be the only place i know where the person in charge dont take responsiblity for failure when in charge. Boat captain is the last to leave, football coaches are the first to go in the civilized world the blames falls on the person in charge not in Da. Jah boy! The minister went to a confrence and was told that the farmers who his ministry are suppose to supervise was exporting garbage and he didnt even realise or was just to dumb to know that it was he they were insulting what a …..