Agriculture Minister Matthew Walter is calling for the private sector to become more involved and invest meaningfully in the Agricultural sector.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday he said there is a demand both locally, regionally and extra-regionally for Dominican produce.
“It is important for DAPEX (Dominica Agricultural Producers and Exporters Ltd) to understand that they must not only be an exporter of raw materials, it is time that we must come to the understanding that we have to be able to use our raw materials in this country,” he said.
He stated that Dominica’s raw agricultural materials can be converted into manufactured goods instead of sending them abroad to be manufactured and and sent back to Dominica at a much higher price.
“So it is of importance that the private sector recognizes that and to embark on value added enterprises and the conversion of our agricultural raw materials into manufactured goods, so that we can create employment, generate economic activities specifically in the rural districts,” Walter pointed out.
Walter also urged DAPEX to be exemplary in the area of producing raw materials.
“DAPEX must be a role model if they call themselves a producer organization ….they have to be a role model in the production of agricultural raw materials,” he said. “Can’t they have a banana model farm? Can’t they have a tania model farm? Can’t they have a dasheen model farm…? They have to be a role model and I am challenging them and I have spoken to Mr. (Luke) Prevost several times on that subject matter.”
He said in order for DAPEX to gain the recognition of being a producer organization, it has to actively get itself involved in the production of raw materials.
“I want to wish them well and ensure that we work collectively to ensure that we bring about a better standard of living for more specifically the rural area,” the agriculture minister said.
he speaks!!!!
For a long time now, the private sector has been wanting the minister to get involved in agriculture. Thank God, he is now making an effort .
WHEY PAPA DONDYEY!!!!!……. BUT WHAT HE DRINK NAH? ……….Since when he so assertive ……. Its because he will not be collecting a salary come next election so all of a sudden he have all sorts of things to say!!!!! Where were you for the past 15 years, …….where are the prgrammes to revitalize the sector …………why has the private sector be alienated from agriculture?
AGAIN I WILL REITERATE THAT MATHEW WALTER IS AN INCOMPETENT MINISTER AND HE SHOULD BE FIRED YESTERDAY. The blame should not be placed solely on the back of the Prime Minister …….Roosevelt Skerrit is not the Minister of Agriculture!!!!!
People are asking that we call a spade a spade and don’t blame the broom stick. To this I say …..IF YOU ARE COMPETENT AT YOUR JOB AND YOU HAVE PLAUSIBLE IDEAS THAT CAN MOVE THE SECTOR FORWARD I SEE NO REASON WHY THE PRIME MINISTER SHOULD NOT PROVIDE YOU WITH THE SUPPORT REQUIRED. The point is if the Ministry of Agriculture looks good the Prime Minister also looks good!!!!
YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DESIGN, ARTICULATE AND IMPLEMENT IDEAS …..PAPA BONDYEH!!! Where is the green paper or white paper or comprehensive proposal for revitalization of the sector …….who will write it the Prime Minister? …….who will lead the charge on it the Prime Minister? ………who will energize the stakeholder base to garner support for the programme….. the Prime Minister? Who should be actively seeking funding and consulting with donor agencies …..the Prime Minister? ……..WHO SHOULD HAVE ENGAGED THE PRIVATE SECTOR OF DOMINICA AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO INVEST IN AGRICULTURE!!!!! ………the Prime Minister? …..GIVE ME A BREAK!! ………SEE OUW PA BON OUW PA BON!!!! He should be fired now.
U
Stop that blah blahing nou my frind. In the last week alone Dominicans hear you more than they did in your 18 years in parliament. You even have people telling me they thought you were dead just as agriculture is dead.
Man I know there are issues on your heart you want to tell the nation about; just feel free to talk knowing Skerrit does not want you for the next election and he does not want a Walter again. In fact he wants a female with last name Paul. So now u know you out, please tell us about that little incident between you and your friend Skerrit that may have taken place on the steps of ministry. What about the other thing you did not like? Let’s talk real big boy talk man and stop wasting time on agricurture that’s been dead so…… long
SMH….pure retard…
Mr. Walter, What ever became of the project you want discussed with me nou? You remember when I was a labourite you told me that one of the things you would push for if the DLP won the 2000 elections, is for a ‘wild smoke meat’ factory? I remember you said you would push for Dominica to export smoeke manicoo, smoke agooti, smoke rabbit and smoke wild pig to the US, England the BVI, USVI were some of the countries you hoped to target. Well not only did the DLP win the 2000 elections but they have been the government in power to this day and better yet, you are the agriculture minister. Did you every bring your vision to the parliament? Are you going to let your laughable dream die with your party? Please propose that to Skerrit before he fire you boy
Matthew, stop embarrassing yourself in public my friend. You sat there and allowed Skerrit your…(let me hush)kill agricure with you at the top and said nothing; now you on your way out you talking boy? Do you have another sibling for Skerit to… and then give scholarship to study in the US?
Is he really your friend?? WERE YOU REALLY A SUPPORTER??
@Santa Clause… I am certain that you have not a clue what you are talking about. Baseless nonsence from you is all I read and sadly there are thumbs up for that. Aye Dominique…. Every good idea is turned into a political gimmick. What is this country turning to? Why don’t we look for content and substance and leave the politics out of this for a minute, JUST FOR A MINUTE. How did his sibling get involved in this conversation??
Twice in one week mister making headlines on DNO and before that I thought mister was a moo moo
Is this giuy serious, if the government is not creating the environment for the private sector be be econoimically viable in this current times how can he expect the private sector to expand its wings in an area where marketing is at a dismal failure, disposable income is at an all time low with the current employment situation. This Minister needs to get real
When will the STABEX funded pack houses become operational to include the implementation of grades and standards for produce enroute for export. Who can justify the construction (or was it the refurbishment) of TWO pak houses within less than 0.5 miles distance. One currently where DAPEX offices are located and the other on the grounds of the former “Packing Shed” Where they designed to undertake two completely separate packing operations. And what about the one at Portsmouth (Long House)… just asking because the private sector would love to be part of these activities.
no wonder we arev not going anywhere in a hurry.You you are the minister in charge “DO Your Job “solve the problem.Dont come crying to us like someone took your toy.
walters, macintyre and skerrit are the suppliers of fertilizer to supporters and most dont even engage in agriculture… this government has destroyed agriculture because ministers want to hand deliver the inputs themselves… i heard the press secretary said that this government has spent more on agriculture than any other.. would like to know what year you were born, because it sounds like you were born in 2004 as a skerritite…
walters talking about model banana farm but he has not implement a proper control measures on the black sigatoker, citrus greening, leaf spot ect..
WELL I GUESS WE HAVE TO TRY AND PAYBACK VENEZUELA WITH COCONUTS FIG AND CITRUS.
boy stop cheoking yourself behined skerrit and talkand act
Funny after 13 years now you talking about that. You are the minister of agriculture. Stop talking and act that is what you were ellected to do. Quit telling us what needs to be done and tell us what has been done by your ministry to move from raw material export to processing.
For a start we should reduce the pay of all the people with degrees in agriculture sitting in the ministry and other parts of gov. They are the ones with the know how to transform the industry. Let 60% of there pay be tied to proper farming operations like it use to be in the days when the estates run the economy.
when all the educated farmers start showing that agriculture is a profession and farming is profitable then more young people would be interested
Let mr. Rickey brumant the director of agriculture show how much income he has generated from effectively running a farming operation over the years.
If our readers have any small sense of objective observation they will see why agri is not realizing its full potential in DA
If they’d only include Marijuana in the agricultural chain, it could alleviate hunger and poverty. Don’t you think? I don’t smoke it and won’t sell it – but it’s so damn expensive and lucrative, why don’t the system include it in the agricultural food and drug chain? Let who want to get high get high! There will be more job opportunities when half of the population turn Paro the Government will build mental facilities to care for them; thus, the unemployment level will drop or stabilize. The other half of the population will be strong and productive – as Charles Darwin said in natural selection,”Only the strong survives.” So, if you don’t smoke the grass you will survive.
They could also open research centers to look into alternate and beneficial uses of that ancient herb. Most all medicines are derived from some plant form; and the Marijuana plant seem to have that potential to cure and stabilize ailments that some other drugs are not able to do. I’m sure that there are underground Scientists working and experimenting with this plant which they think may hold the answer to cure some of the most deadliest diseases like Cancer. The major drug companies won’t be too happy if the Marijuana plant turns out to be so powerful to cure people.