A university student from Suriname, who is presently in Dominica to study the implementation of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), believes enough is not being done in the island’s agricultural sector.
Shiva Basropansingh, who is among 20 students from Suriname participating in the exercise, revealed certain similarities and differences between the two countries, placing emphasis on the unused potential in agriculture in Dominica.
“We have some similarities in Agriculture but we also have some differences in the agricultural sector,” he said at a press conference on Thursday. “At the visits, most of the people were saying your country needs more agro-processing and Suriname has a lot of experience with agro-processing, so I think we can learn from each other.”
He also lamented the waste of agricultural products in Dominica saying the young appeared uninterested in the sector.
“In Dominica, there is a lot of waste of agricultural products, so they need to process them but there are not enough agro-processing engineers to do that kind of work and stuff,” he stated. “The youth also are not trained or interested in agro-processing or agriculture.”
He suggested that the government train young people in agro-processing and agriculture. However, he commented that it appears Dominican students do not wish to study agriculture because they “don’t see money” in the sector.
At the press conference, the students from Suriname all agreed that travel to Dominica from their home country was very difficult. They spoke of the journey from Suriname to Guyana, then to Barbados, and onto St. Martin. From there, they travelled to Antigua, where they overnighted before arriving in Dominica.
The exercise is sponsored by the CARICOM Secretariat, the Ministry of Trade and Employment, and the Regional Integration Unit.
According to Dominica’s Ambassador to the OECS, Felix Gregoire, students were separated into groups, and made to interact with various agencies and bodies involved in the implementation of different regimes within the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Such establishments included banks, manufacturing companies, telecommunication providers, unions, and various public and private sector agencies.
The revised treaty encompasses the Free Movement of Goods, Services, and Capital, and the Right of Establishment, including the movement of specifically identified categories of Caribbean nationals.
The students are to prepare reports on their observations. The reports will be reviewed by the CARICOM Secretariat, and used to enhance methods of integration among CMSE countries.
The activity, being held under the theme “Students Engaging the CSME through Field Promotion,” spanned from May 24-27.
Last year, 20 students of the Dominica State College (DSC), along with a management team, travelled to St. Lucia for a similar exercise.
Look this young man came here and said the exact thing that has been said for 15 + years I wonder if this boy skerrit will understand now!
Nope, he too busy building hotels.
There are lots of people wanting to go into agriculture, but the market has to be there. First supermarkets have to stop i importing what we can grow; we have to eat what we grow, then we will see a change. We have to change the mentality that any foreign food is better. Locall, natural food is best. What happen to the molecular structure of the human cell when one counsumes genetically modified food? What happen to the molecular structure of food when heated in microwave and therefore consume the food? what is the molecular structure of water that occurs when it is microwaved? Get back to local. When a guaanteed market is available then there will be more movement in agriclture. First stop importing what we can grow, set up a market for these products then we can see progress.
Nonsense, supermarkets import what they can sell. It’s down to the government to increase tariffs on goods that we produce on the island. That’s the way to protect local production.
we all know that enough is not being done in Dominica to safe guard and encourage production.
it is very good that someone on the outside can make such observation since our government does no listen to its people. we they go out there to beg, the countries should send them back home empty handed and tell them find a job.
It doesn’t matter whether it dlp or uwp government who is in power the struggle will remain. The ppl in power need to educate the masses and stop playing politics in the development of Dominica. Come on political leaders and pal reps. Please consider the needs of the country by listening to the ppl and not dictate what you believe is your solution for a better dominica.
It’s embarrassing that a foreign student being the one to highlight a plague Dominica have experience for more than a decade.
“At the press conference, the students from Suriname all agreed that travel to Dominica from their home country was very difficult. They spoke of the journey from Suriname to Guyana, then to Barbados, and onto St. Martin. From there, they traveled to Antigua, where they overnighted before arriving in Dominica.”
Suriname is bordered with Guyana in South America. Barbados is in the Caribbean Sea, south East of Dominica, St. Martin is perhaps two hundred miles North West of Dominica, Antigua is North of Dominica, these people literally over flew Dominica went North West to St. Martin, then return south East to Antigua over night and then flew south to Dominica.
An international should be his priority to talk about, rather than running off his damn mouth talking fart about agriculture!
KLM would perhaps flying to Dominica if there was an International Airport, hence they would have left their country, and land direct in Dominica. KLM is a Dutch Airline!
Every little rat, every weasel, every little rodent as soon as they visit Dominica, as soon as they opens their mouth they fume about Agriculture. The boy running off his mouth, someone should draw the following to his attention, and inform him that there are more agricultural land in Suriname than we have in Dominica So why not take his own advise, and plant more bananas in his own country!
Note: “Agriculture in Suriname plays a secondary role in the economy, employing around 12 percent of the workforce. Only 0.4 percent of Suriname’s total land area is cultivable, with half of this devoted to rice production, which makes up around 10 percent of Suriname’s total exports, with 180,000 tons produced in 1999. The banana industry also accounts for 2.5 percent of total export revenues, with 55,000 tons produced in 1999. Suriname also produces palm kernels, coconuts, sugar, plantains, peanuts, beef,chicken and shrimp. In the 18th century the production of coffee was of major…
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The banana industry also accounts for 2.5 percent of total export revenues, with 55,000 tons produced in 1999. Suriname also produces palm kernels, coconuts, sugar, plantains, peanuts, beef,chicken and shrimp. In the 18th century the production of coffee was of major importance under the Dutch colony but has gradually declined.”
Note: the population of Suriname is approximately three (300,000) people, maybe more; nevertheless, only 12% of population workforce make their living from agriculture, that means only a matter of thirty-six (36,000) people work in agriculture in Suriname, thirty-six thousand people is more than half of the population of the Commonwealth of Dominica; approximately. So, what this guy is doing is simply advising that Dominica become an Agricultural based economy, but even in his country which entertains the communists ideology, their economy is not totally dependent on agriculture. Their emphasis is on mining gold and other metal.
More to…
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First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of African slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. The Netherlands granted the colony independence in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government – a four-party coalition – returned to power in 1991. The coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005 and ruled until August 2010, when voters returned former military leader Desire BOUTERSE and his opposition coalition to power. President BOUTERSE was reelected unopposed in 2015.
That kid need to mind his…
CLearly!, you are an idiot. and cannot take criticism. Every other country in the region is focusing on agro processing as a niche market. Our main processor and champion BELLO is crumbling for various reasons, Benjos’ doesnt even produce here anymore for those same reasons, DCP is closed, Dominica Essential Oils is closed. WHO IS OUR AGRO PROCESSING AND EXPORTING CHAMPION?? Which of our agro processors are certified and meet any international standards. The government/ Min of agriculture is focused on produce. Stuff to sell in the market, but added value through processing needs to be looked at seriously. AND STANDARDS!!! no more producing food in your kitchen. Provide proper certified facilities with testing capabilities for processors to access foreign markets. Dods-Telemaque you are a fool if you believe what you just wrote.
They are not criticizing me you know, because I know better: it is idiots like you with no ambition, no education who crave nothing than to work in the fields like common peasants of the sixteenth century who will suffer; and die poor depending on agriculture!
If you all were not dumb, you would look around you, look over your shoulders and you would notice all of the islands in the Leeward islands are practically fully developed, nevertheless their dependency is not on an agricultural based industry.
They have no agriculture plantations.
You can become involved in all your agro this and your behind will remain poor: The idiot who is influencing, agriculture did not tell you bannanas contributes 2.5 percent to his nations economy. If you were not an idiot, perhaps you would be in a position to do some math based on the statistics I quoted and you would understand why they do not spend time on agriculture in their country!
Dogs, cats gorillas; chimpanzees has names, you are a nobody with no identification, a low life; rodent calls me a fool!
Well be you a human, or an unidentified animal point out to me the fool what I wrote which is not a fact, and true as can be. You are so ignorant and dumb your lack of knowledge to understand, when you read anything intellectual has allowed you to make a jackass of your stupid ignorant unintelligent illiterate self.
Just because one can read and write at kindergarten level does not mean they are not illiterate, if you were not an illiterate fool you would not suggest if I believe what I wrote I am a fool, on what basics you deduce your rubbish?
Don’t challenge me guy; you are beneath me as far as intelligence and academics are concerned, all of my comments are intellectual; not garbage okay!
You sit your behind in Wesley an inebriated idiot, I outclass you okay, so watch you mouth!
My Bro, if I knew how to contact you , I would issue you a diplomatic passport immediately. Your point is on target and the world knows that except the kunumunoos of the DLP.
My brother, my advice to you is that you buy a Dominican passport and change your name because Skerrit and his dlp team players will be looking out for you to make sure your name and passport don’t touch Dominica soil again. In the event you want to comeback just contact one of the passport agents for a Dominica passport or you could apply @ mydominicatradehouse.com
you and all who gave you a thumbs up,give us a reason why your comment makes sense,write it out so we get the picture like you and all the rest,lets see commonsense at work,this is what DNO should be doing,asking for proper inputs in other to educate the masses,we need to bleed this ignorance
Skerritt and his DLP Cabal is interested in SELLING OUR PASSPORTS with no ACCOUNTABILITY or TRANSPARENCY. That is why our passports, diplomatic ones too, end up in the hands of people like NJ Lap Seng and other foreigners with serious problems with the Law. We have heard of several of those involved in criminal acts.
Some have become extremely wealthy, while the standard of living of the majority of Dominicans, are declining day after day. In the usual secretive ways, the people are left in the dark. Because of the work of patriots, revelations are forthcoming.
To hell with FOOD SECURITY. Down with agriculture. No boat. No market Come beg Skerritt instead.
One respects ALL that was said by this young man but You can bring a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. Food for thought! No matter what is put in place to help, FACE BOOK and Internet have dominated the minds and interest of the young generation. They want it now!
The demise of agriculture is because of lazy, inept,corrupt and incompetent leadership.Stop your balderdash about THEY WANT IT NOW!!!..Wonder if you even know what that means.
Shut up you unwise rat!
It is your kind who help to keep the country down with your constant nonsense under different aliases! Facts, and all other kind of name!
To make matters worse, those who are supposed to benefit from whatever little assistance this ….. government is giving,does not receive anything.It’s those who are in his circles who are not investigating in agriculture receiving inputs and the likes, so they can sell!
It had to take a foreigner to say it for it to make news???
Agriculture was before we had the Chines take out and de Kent-Turkey fried Chicken. Now you see how FAT dem Dominican women getting!? Cause dem nah cooking no mo.
It’s not that the young people of Dominica would not want to show interest in agriculture,but it has to attract them by giving them a sign of hope that there is a livelihood in agriculture.How will the young people of Dominica show interest in agriculture, when they see their parents and those in agriculture are giving up because of lack of earnings
If the government and those who are supposed to be responsible for the agricultural sector are not giving attention to the industry,then there will not be interest shown by the young people.When a government considers agriculture as a has been industry and fail to subsidize it,allow all feeder roads to deteriorate instead of building new ones,then there will be no interest shown.If agriculture has to be seen as an industry where one can earn a decent living,it’s not by carrying bags and boxes on head in rugged roads that will make it possible.Everyone else is seeing the mismanagement of this corrupt rogue government.
Don’t be stupid; as a foreign student if he is should have absolutely no say in matters pertaining to Dominica. Right now he is interfering in business which does not concern him.
That is called political interference, in some islands in the Caribbean he would be deported. Skerrit and the Labor Party uses idiot, and clowns like him to run his mouth off to impress the ignorant ones like you no ambition.
Because your mama, and your papa was farmers dose mean you have to be a farmer. When I was kid in Wesley growing up 99% of the older people worked on the Londonderry Estate, and the three other Estates in the area until in the 1950’s when most began working for themselves planting bananas, they all poor!
My generation looked forward to better, guys like Simon Richards, Dominica’s Ambassador and others went to UWI, they set an example kids like me followed, since then Wesley has produced many professionals, doctors lawyers chemical engineers, computer engineers personally I…
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I am an Electronic/Engineer. I have a nephew who is a computer engineer, he makes his living in Antigua, his wife is Jamaican born I understand is either a civil engineer, or building engineer.
One of the best Cardiologist known in certain part of the United is from Wesley, I will not mention his name, but ask me cousin Athena though I am angry with her right now she will tell you because that great heart surgeon is her uncle.
You all do not want any better because you are damn backward with no ambition. If Dominica was a different place politically, I could be home operating my own Electronic business manufacturing some sore of electronics for export. There are others who has the skills and know how: If we use what Dominicans did to Ron Abraham and Marpin, that is a deterrent , and there are others before him.
Agriculture will keep you all and your children in poverty until death relieve you of your pain! Why do you think that very good Dr. from Portsmouth…
I am an Electronic/Engineer. I have a nephew who is a computer engineer, he makes his living in Antigua, his wife is Jamaican born I understand is either a civil engineer, or building engineer.
Let that read ‘I am an Electronic/Electrical Engineer.’
Why do you think that very good Dr. from Portsmouth Douglas, I believe he is brother to the late Rosie Douglas, and others like him preferred to work in New York rather than return to Dominica to waste his talent and time? It is because of the constant confusion, and the backward state of our country.
Dominica has many better trained doctors than the Cuban quacks, in Dominica messing up peoples life’s if those doctors return to Dominica they could revolutionize medicine in our country! You believe that guy talking his belly full of crap is not politically affiliated.
I say it is because it is not normal for students from other countries dipping in the country they are studding business. Go to China to study and get political see what happen to you.
Have you ever heard any of Ross Medical students making comments about Dominica’s affairs They are in Dominica to study, and not play politics. Dominica students spend counterfeit money given to them by a member of this labor…
Dominica students spend counterfeit money given to them by a former government member of this labor party in Cuba, there not given any special privileges they put the in jail in Cuba!
The Labor Party covered that up in Dominica.
So what does all of what you said have to do with the state of agriculture in Dominica today? What is the Ministry of Agriculture doing to take us to the next level. ?
I hope the government taking notes.
So-called workers supporters going on about what the young man had to say, OK he is right but what are you doing about it nothing, every time the government put something on the table workers social monkeys and their supporters would be on a war path to distort Dominica that is why this two face monkeys will remain in the wilderness for a long time ⌚
Black Jack – you are very typical. You admit that what the young man is saying “is the truth” but “the truth” is of no concern to you and the Skerrit worshippers. : What concerns you most is the fact that those of us who knows, hears, accept and understand “the truth” are voicing our opinion. It is persons like you and Justina Charles – who know the truth that Ian Pinard is a child molester – yet praise and honour him. It is persons like you and many other Skerrit worshippers – who know “the truth” that our economy is the worst in the region – yet praise Skerrit as the “Best leader”. It is persons like you who know “the Truth” that Skerrit and his Cabals have stolen and is steal millions of dollars from Dominica and hid it in offshore account in countries like Panama, while the hospital, public workers is in dilapidated state and workers not paid. Yet people like you hid your head in the sand like ostrich and say UWP jealous of skerrit. when will you stand up for the…
image this young man is just a student and can say what he sees as an outsider, and he has hit the nail on the head. you should get a PhD for the truth, what is thee minister going to do about his comments.
Bro; You can bring a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. Food for thought!
But we have a COFFEE PLANT and a ABATTOIR.
@ the real thing. I know you meant to say Hugo Chavez has a coffee plant. But where is Chavez? The answer to my question is the status of the coffee plant.
Best comment I read from Facebook from this story.
Suriname is producing independent thinkers….that’s what a university graduate should sound like….he can analyze, compare, contrast objectively….you did not eat your school fees young man.
I wonder if any student from the DSC would say something like that.
@ Dorival John…..excuse me sir ,,who do you think you are, you are very insultive to say you wonder if any student from DSC would say that? Insinuating that maybe they could not…why dont you take a look at yourself,,like as if you are better? Yes some can and alot better than you can, your mangerial skills was not highly supported so shut up!! think back of all those defaux you made back then! You ridiculous, and by the way alot are much smarter than you are,,
puh….be mindful the truth urts….I deliberately left out the h
DNO misinformation again. . Dominicans are seasonal workers. There are more tourist buses and rum shops than there are people. Take a look at the food market it is mainly controlled by Haitian’s, who inflate the prices. Every corner of the market is overran by the Haitians. I don’t blame them, because we have become complacence. Our young people are waiting for government to provide or waiting for their barrel. Take a look at Point Mitchel and Scotts Head within a quarter mile radius you have 20+ car boo way. They are all waiting on the same customers. How often do we listenn to politicians telling the young people the government are holding them back! Do we ever hear you need to cultivate the land like your parents.
Exactly!
Now you’re going to be on the DLP most hated list
You might never get to return to this country, ever again.
Dominicans have long seen the glitter in other things like the digital age and have forsaken agriculture. It will be challenging to whet their appetite again for agriculture.
Out of the mouth of a babe – Eh beh weh weh, our agriculture problem is so glaring, it takes a student to assess what many highly paid consultants can, but do not do. Tears for Dominica
What is the interest rate on loans to purchase agricultural land?
Dorival John you are a fool, how can you think so stupid. Any fool can see in Dominica we have a lot of waste for our products. We are inneed of agro processing and proper macketing of products. We are still awaiting the promised boat. Mr. Linton is not the problem even though you do not love him as the bible says. Give a student a schoolarship to study agro processing.
Idiot, can’t you see sarcasm even when it is staring you in the face.
I was being sarcastic since Skerrit has been blaming everything on the opposition. In the West Bridge Project he said his intelligence on the ground say operatives of the UWP were trying to stop the project.
Geez.
Dorival take a step down, you are indeed a fool,,,,,,,u like too much melee for a old man,go take a nap with your “can’t you see sarcasm even if it is staring you in your face” guess you dont see a fool in the mirror when its staring you in the face….
DNO allu must stop that. I understand allu niche in reporting is to stir clicks and hits but allu must tell d truth. That was not the point of the event. The guy wasn’t even “lamenting” just a statement of facts. He was just comparing Suriname and Dominica. Allu must stop misleading d public.
The students did not have time to study agriculture in Dominica to come up with any analysis about the industry. So you mean to tell me anybody who says anything negative at all about your country, you will celebrate and blow it up so? In d name of what? Journalism? Shame.
I can tell you now, I will take all allu stories with a pound of salt. And post my comment plz!
How is DNO misleading the public?
The man said something that Dominicans have been saying for years and is a good point being raised by DNO. That is what good reporting is all about, reporting on pertinent issues.
If you want a press release on the event, go read GIS or that other website that posing to be a news website but is just an extension of GIS and government propaganda.
Sorry Miss J, the media isn’t supposed to be a ‘feel good’ institution, although the majority of the media houses in Dominica has become such.
This young man has been able to make an observation being in Dominica for a few days. It shows his power of critical analysis.
I’ve lived in Dominica all my life and it doesn’t take a blind man to show the level at which agriculture has dropped. You can hardly buy fig these days in a country like Dominica. Growing up we used to boil fig for pigs.
If the media doesn’t publish things that make us uncomfortable, how will we develop>
If you are satisfied with the way Dominica is and if you are not struggling to survive in the country then you must be selling drugs
It’s time we Dominicans stop leaving above our means. We want to have two, three cars. Party everyday and sewo more on thee weekend. Buy the most expensive. Banks even giving loan to buy cell phones. Why not try to grow what we eat. The country not hard. Any government that’s in power, the people will cry. Party won’t change the country but only we can step up and make our country better
You are a blind bat….So you did not know that before the Suriname student spoke….GO WEAR GLASSES BOY!!!
Even those who are interested are planting, there is no market to sell their produce. As a young person I currently have, sweet potatoes, pine apples and bell peppers no sale for it. If a supermarket takes 40 pounds the other supermarket is not taking because they have imported peppers. What is our plan for farming, farmers, produce and markets in this country.?
That is strange because the problem in the BVI Antigua and St Maarten right now is that we cant get enough produce from Dominica i have started a marketing company and shipping company to buy and transport Dominican produce and i am looking for farmers to plant for me and i will buy their entire harvest. if you are serious contact me at [email protected]
http://www.yonnasshipping.com
We all know that – apart from the regime in Dominica. Instead of formulating a strategic plan over a period of at least 3 years, all they are doing is some patch work here and there and hope for the best. Additionally supporters of the DLP appear to be favoured in the distribution of funds, plants and fertilisers.
My intelligence on the ground has shown that this student was told to say such thing by the Opposition, especially Lennox Linton.
Come on man Dorival, that is very low. Grow up man.
Sarcasm dumdum, sarcasm.
SMH
It is those same intelligence on the ground that said to skerrit that the Opposition uwp is planning to stop the construction of the bridge where as it is the ecccs that wrote to him and he is passing it on the uwp because the Dominican public are DONKEY HOLES
Dorival John that’s how the WICKED LABOUR THINK
I am confused, Skeritt is telling Dominicans that Lennox Linton is a waste of time, but his supporters are saying Linton has more power than Skeritt himself. According to them every time Lennox speaks, people listen. Case in point, the CCCCJ, as far as Skeritt is concerned, Linton is responsible for the stalled West Bridge Project.
More than twenty years ago there were more farmers than now,it is a struggle in certain villages to get food from the soil and meat…gov’t should make more effort to improve farming ,any country who cannot feed it’s nation is doomed ..there will be very little way out.
nice work …………….. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER……………
Even a blind man can see that the DLP gang have failed the agricultural sector…Take care they ask you to leave we boy for speaking the truth.!!They are enamoured with those who LIE,CHEAT and ……Tell it to them!
%, YOU must see like the fish they call ..SAUL and understanding like a crab. The FAILURE of the agricultural section came under the UWP WHEN THEY MADE PEOPLE BELIEVE they were doing things tout pa tout. Promised Farmers $1.00 a pound of banana. while in the mean time THEY were bleeding and draining the Industry… Go do some home work and stop acting by instinct like a CRAB.
@IDIOT ON THE BLOCK!!
You should have quoted our export figures during the years UWP government was in office and export figures now…But do you have the capacity to do such?That’s how you make comparism….That’s why I keep on calling you idiot,and keep on begging you to go to night school…It’s shameful that one from Suriname knows that Dominicas agriculture has disappeared while you continue to beg!!!This greedy and corrupt DLP has really impoverished Dominica..
Oh Boy Poor Dominica … A country and a Leader with no Vision its People will Perish.. It takes Overseas STUDENTS to See that we are not
Doing ENOUGH in Agriculture…. His primary Recomendation was for Govenment to do more and Train the Young people.. In Other words invest more in Agriculture …
SMH :
all those Red Head can say I LOVE MY PM.. But he really don’t love them
Oh dear please don’t blame the LEADER he need help it’s not his fault, it is we the masses that need to have some vision
after 16 yrs. in government and has impoverish the country …. what more do we expect?
Ryan, if you believe that the prime minister have no vision what would you say of Linton, Fontaine, eddison and Co. Or are you that stuff like a turkey ? and that is being nice to you.
Without a doubt. ‘Back to the Future’!
It takes a student from outside to let you all know enough is not being done in the island’s agricultural sector.
Lover, people from the outside can always see more than you take for example your man or woman witch ever it may be having an affair and would be the last to know put that in you all pipes and smoke it.
Lover, people from the outside can always see more than you take for example your man or woman witch ever it may be having an affair and you would be the last to know put that in you all pipes and smoke it.
The man speaks the truth.