The Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN) has received financial assistance from its international partner the COLEACP (Europe-ACP Liaison Committee) in the sum of 20,000 Euros to assist with rehabilitation of small-farm-families’ livelihoods in Dominica amidst the devastation resulting from the impact of tropical storm Erika.
The Government of Dominica has declared nine Special Disaster Areas – Petite Savanne, Pichelin, Good Hope, Bath Estate (Paradise Valley), Dubique, Campbell, Coulibistrie, San Sauveur and Petite Soufriere. These communities depend almost entirely on production, farming, livestock rearing and fishing.
CaFAN is monitoring the ongoing agricultural assessment, which is been being conducted, and the funds from COLEACP will be used to help small farmers with land clearing, seeds and agricultural inputs.
CaFAN’s livelihoods coordinator in Dominica, Pastor Adrien Bannis, has said that “the livelihood recovery support to Dominica by COLEACP will assist farmers with getting their farms back into production.”
CaFAN’s Chief Coordinator, Jethro Greene, has noted that “the relief contribution by COLEACP is a demonstration of their commitment to helping small farm families in the Caribbean.” As a member of COLEACP, CaFAN members have already benefited from support for training, technical assistance and market development in Europe.
The Caribbean Farmers Network Inc (CaFAN) is a registered non-profit regional farmer organisation, formed and initiated by farmer organisations across the Caribbean in 2002. CaFAN’s mission is “to enhance Caribbean food and nutrition security, foreign exchange earnings and foreign savings, by repositioning agriculture through the capacity buildingof farmers and the institutional strengthening of farmers’ organisations”.
CaFAN currently represents over 500,000 small farmers spread across 15 Caribbean countries including Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts/ Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.
It is very sad that the government of Dominica, did forget that in Grand Bay, Bordeaux and Tete Morne, a lot of farmers also depend on “help” and as well on development….
from what i hearing Salisbury farmers did not get help for unblocking their farm road ……today every parts of Dominica has a road block.
What about assistance for the small businesses. Sales have dropped since Erika and yet they are expected to give assistance to relief efforts. One way by which assistance could be given is that Government approaches the Banking Institutes and have them give a 2 month grace period for their loan payments. This would al;low the small businesses to accumulate some cash flow without worrying about payments.