Dominica’s economy cannot depend solely on tourism and the island can once again be the ‘bread basket of the Caribbean’ if the government continues to put agriculture on the front burner, according to agriculture minister, Matthew Walter.
“This economy cannot depend on tourism alone. The manufacture industry is on a decline and therefore it is agriculture that has to prop the economy,” Walter said at a press conference on Monday afternoon. “We have to merge agriculture with tourism and make it work. We have to ensure that the young people of this country get themselves employed in agriculture.”
The minister noted further that about 50 percent of the money spent on importing food could be used to implement projects that can create employment for the people of Dominica which will in turn generate economic activity specifically in the rural areas.
“We can grow certain foods in this country that can substitute for all the imported foods that come to the respective countries in the Caribbean hence saving a lot on the foreign exchange and also jobs that we export to the developed countries of this world,” he pointed out.
Walter noted that Dominicans must change their mindset and eat the foods that are grown locally.
He lamented that too often the island’s youth must migrate to seek employment.
“It is time that we consolidate the talents, the efforts, the resources that we have in this country to be able to create this environment where our people can live well. We have the potential in this country to make agriculture the bedrock of this country’s economy and to restore the status of Dominica being the food basket of the Caribbean,” he said.
According to Walter Dominica has the land, and resources required to make agriculture a fruitful sector.
In the meantime, Walter said that the high import of food into the Caribbean region is one main issue plaguing the Caribbean’s agricultural sector.
He said annually about US$4.5 billion worth of food is imported in the Caribbean.
“We are also of the opinion that the Caribbean on a whole can do much better in preparing the enabling environment so that we ourselves can substitute all those imports that we are bringing into our country on an annual basis,” Walter said.
“He said annually about US$4.5 billion worth of food is imported in the Caribbean.”
That’s the problem!! Dominicans need to stop buying so much and start making use of what’s on the island. Dominicans would rather buy sweetened juices that are made in labs, versus utilizing the fruits/veggies that are on their own lands. We keep buying into the advertisements that are displaying package goods as healthy substitutes, but lab foods are not healthy. People have to learn to become smarter consumers, so they can stop funding the rich lifestyles of the well-to-do.
Well, well. Pressure from the opposition has these boys running around like vermin wouge now. Even if they don’t win the eelection we must thank the opposition for stirring up the nest. I have never seen such activity. Thank you.
bo;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;y I begay en we. Mr. and them really do not have a plan. Mrs Louis is a prophet he said them men will speak with stammering tongue and he is right. Skerrit please give mr Louis wat he asdk for. Respect the elderly;
15 years is enough time to have developed a comprehensive plan and by now we should at least have seen some results.Its not acceptable to just make a statement like that because, you are responsible! You are in government! who are you telling government not investing in agriculture?
you’re sitting at the table.
By choosing to remain silent about the decline of agriculture in the nation, Minister Walter has lost the confidence of farmers of all political stripes.
If my memory serves me right, at the time he was appointed Minister of Agriculture he openly displayed a lack of enthusiasm for that appointment. And even though he may have advocated firmly( as is his obligation)for agriculture within cabinet, that was never obvious to the farmers of this country.
Under his leadership there has been no noticeable improvement in the operation of the Ministry. Programs have been pruned and the long awaited comprehensive plan for agriculture has never seen the light of day. With no plan to guide the sector, agriculture has been left to drift.
It appears to have taken Minister Walter a very long time to admit the obvious. On the other hand Mr. Walter may have read the tea leaves and the results are not favorable. Should we be saying goodbye to Walter?
Give Walter a break, skerrit is the one responsible for his problems, i know mister personally and he is a hard working man. What would u do if the prime minister did not give your ministry priority?
…resign!!
Resign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
he just got a cocmaa
Okay Mr. Walter now that you finally woke up. tell us what your immediate plans are for the struggling farmers in Dominica.
Let Skerro give you some of that cash he has spreading around and go fix some of the fedder roads.
But again, why should we praise you for doing what we elect you to do??!!
First and foremost ….. To all those who said…… “is Mr. alive nah?” Or “Mr. Just wake up man!!!” ……I think you are right on point. As a matter of fact I think that must have been the reaction of 99.9% of all Dominicans including the Prime Minister!!!!
With regards to the Agricultural sector in particular, I think he has been fast asleep. HE HAS TAKEN NO EFFECTIVE INITIATIVES TO ENHANCE THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR…. ….however within the Ministry of Agriculture he has been wide awake and has channeled all his energies into DESTABILIZING, DEMORALIZING AND VICTIMIZING the staff of the Ministry from permanent secretaries, …….to heads of departments,……. to extension officers. That has been and will remain his legacy….. no press conference can change that. WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO SAVE FACE NOW? ….IS IT BECAUSE YOUR SERVICES ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED?
Secondly, with regards to the comments on food security and import substitution….these issues have been echoed by the qualified technical staff within Dominica and from around the region for years…… NOW YOU GETTING ON BOARD …WELL YOU LATE PAPA!!!!! This activity must have been inspired by the recently held Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) because all the comments made are almost a perfect replica of comments made by Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Minister of Agriculture for Guyana during his speaking engagements. . SO….. KE MOON KE MAJEY BONDA JACO …..THAT PARROT BOTTOM MUST HAVE TASTED SWEET BOY……. IT RESULTED IN A PRESS CONFERENCE!
SQUARE PEG IN ROUND HOLE!!!!! We should not have taken a primary school teacher to be the Minister of Agriculture ……besides he did not want the job …. Remember his emotional breakdown when he was moved from the Ministry of Community Development. He considered it a demotion …….and anyone who disrespects the sector like that should not be associated with it nor should they try to appeal to stakeholders for sympathy or to gain political points. Have some respect for the sector …….We will no longer tolerate incompetent people within the sector and more specifically we will no longer tolerate you!!!………take a hint we don’t want you!!
STATED SUCCINCTLY …..THE MINISTER IS A COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME……..PACK YOUR BAGS WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU !!!!
I APPEAL TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF DOMINICA….. GET RID OF HIM IMMEDIATELY!!!!
You said all the good stuff but conveniently avoid the fact that Mathew Walter is part of a bigger picture than just his own colossal failures. When one minister fails the entire cabinet fails. Mathew Walter is not and had not been the one appropriating funds for the development of agriculture. Also Mathew Walter was not the one who declared war on agriculture – remember the famous words ” agriculture is a has been industry”
So we agree that Mathew Walter is a failure but who allowed him to fail for 10 years. If agriculture meant so much to the administration why , my god why wasn’t he reassigned or even fired ( 18-3 yes!!!!). We saw Charles Saverin move from ministry to ministry to presidency. Reginald Austrie moved from communication to wherever while his dancing feet remained anchored on the Petro Caribe slush fund.
If he cried the first time he was assigned the ministry and he failed miserably why was he reassigned the same ministry? Did you ponder upon this. The average manager would not have reassigned Mathew Walter to the same ministry.
The hypocrisy and ignorance of our people is the main reason why we have the government that we have. We choose party over our country. You chose to blame Mathew Walter only and deliberately neglect the failure of Roosevelt skerrit the head of the administration. Grow a pair of balls and call a spade a spade.
Mathew Walter is not just talking here. Mathew Walter is technically saying ” hey I am not the reason why agriculture is down there are bigger mountain chickens to fry” Mathew Walter and otherministers are sitting by and watching Roosevelt skerrit disrespect their authority as ministers with portfolio and as parl reps. Mathew Walter has to sit by and watch Roosevelt Skerrit pose in front of a camera donating money. How disrespectful to the people of dominica , tax payers and the ministers themselves
but then again why are we blaming Mathew walters, Ian Douglas, Toulon, Kelvar, Justina and others when people like you said that you were voting for Skerrit and not the Labor party candidates. Why blame the broom stick when the broom fails. So now that the Labor Party is seeking to replace almost half of the candidates – what does that say when the candidates to be discarded are still relatively young. Does it say that 7 candidates are bad or is it that the leadership is bad.
What about a vote for Dominica.
Finally Mr. Walters has woken up from his slumber. Sir…. you and your labour government received tax payers money for the past 14 years, to do just what you are talking about? Are you for real? Honestly, you should do the honourable thing and resign.
This is very true but old news.
If the government continues to put agriculture on the front burner?
My people in order to deal with issues pertaining to the development of the country, we must be honest with each other. This government has not been putting agriculture on the front burner at all. As a matter of fact the government put tourism on the front burner while at the same time been openly confrontational and hawkish to the countries from where the tourists derive. This government also associating itself with other government and agencies that are actively involved in activities that adversely threatens the businesses of the countries from where the tourists derive. The ships and cruise businesses are owned by people from these very countries that Mr. Skerrit described as terrorist and racist. It is not a surprise that the ships and cruise packages are directed to competing islands…those islands have great relationships with Europe and The Americas.
Agriculture is our engine to stimulate and run the economy. It is not difficult to make it work.
Well, well, well. Better late than never, but in the minister’s case, it seems like he’s been out of commission while the farmers’ cry keeps bellowing over the land via the airwaves by the honest Q.
An other acknowledgement by a failed government that’s now coming to grip with its failures. So Dominicans, if you want to continue on the empty promises you’ve been given for the past decades, that’s your choice. But remember, “CHANGE IS NOT AN OPTION ON ELECTION DAY, IT’S A MUST”
Weh weh weh what a circus. Notice that he is yet to take up responsibility as the minister responsible for agriculture. The arrogance and hubris of this administration is just a flamboyant characteristic that accompany their ineptness and corruption. Their MO is to look away from the mirror and still feel like they are the best dressed- good leaders know how to take responsibility for their actions or inactions.
While it is correct to state that Skerrit is lord and king and that it is not Mathew Walters who decides what happens to agriculture, Mathew Walters has/ had a responsibility to the people of Dominica-not Roosevelt Skerrit.
Over the years we have heard all kinds of excuses from the Labor Party apologists – they call Dominicans lazy; they said that agriculture is dead because the opposition boycotted parliament, they blame the world economic crisis note however the same administration and it’s apologists told Dominicans that agriculture is a has been industry and that tourism is the way to go. What a joke, what a sad moment.
It is obvious that Mr Walter is admitting that not only that agriculture is dead but that the decision to make tourism the king pin is and was a complete failure. So not only did they kill agriculture they failed in tourism as well. Thirteen years and nothing to show but a bunch of desperate to stay in power politicians going around thinking that donating money and LPO’s all over the country is going to make people’s lives better. got to be kidding and very insulting and demeaning.
The display of desperation by Roosevelt Skerrit and his followers is insulting to the people of Dominica. To impoverish a people and turn around and come give the people handouts while posing for the camera is just so distasteful, sad, Mobutulike, Chavezic, and Kadaffism.
I do hope that in this 21 st century the people of Dominica are smart enough to deal with the reality and not be distracted by the lies and propaganda coming from those who are the beneficiaries of this very corrupt administration, cabals and lawyers.
Let their desperate actions lead to their own demise.
where have this guy been, did he just wake up…..the regular Joe on the streets of Roseau could have told him so
I get the feeling that the dlp have run out of ideas, now the are recycling ideas they were shunning all the time, they are feeling the heat of the peoples cry.if you notice all their talk these days are the same thing that have been said by the uwp and the farmers.
but i wish that the politicians would put their egoes aside and focus on DOMINICA,but the dlp politicians have to be real and honest with the people.Dominica have too much potentials to be so backward like that,the people need HOPE.
Change is a must .
In the past people were told to diversify into tourism from agriculture but now they eat their own vomit .
When this govt. Continues to hold ties with communist countries this is the result tourism sector will die for the Americans will pull out resulting in fewer calls of cruise ships to Dominica and the pull out of eagle for that same reason .
You are so right on the American Eagle. I said the same thing months ago. That was a sanction on Dominica from the USA. Pull our Airlines out and let them feel the pinch. If all you want to see American Eagle back in Melville Hall, you all must CHANGE THE PRESENT REGIME.
I want nothing more for Dominica if this gang of crookd get out of office however I will not support such propaganda that the eagle pulled out because of the government. Foreign policy.The eagle pulled out because the airline was not making money.
BUT WHERE WAS MR ALL D TIME NUH PAPA MET… what happening in that country a joke that man.. man get real allu kill it now allu owing Venezuela allu want to revive it we die nuh hahahahahahaahaha..
Wow, he’s woken up and is stating the obvious. The entire government is useless but this one is the most useless one of them all. Just an example: Last election Mister came to Calibishie and made a big speech, we’ll modernise the road from Portsmouth to the Airport, we’ll do away with all the single file bridges, we’ll give all farmers access to their land, we’ll do this, we’ll do that. Guess what has happened? Absolutely nothing! Infact, the main road is in a worse condition it has ever been before. Go back to sleep man and don’t bother us with your nonsense and hollow promises.
At last you all have seen that tourism just cannot cut it, at least better late than never, revamp our agriculture industry please.
Why must it be tourism or agriculture ? Not that you said that but you imply that agriculture can survive without tourism …
I propose that if there is a robust enough tourism industry we may not need to ship any agricultural produce out of Dominica, the possibility also exists for an agro tourism industry …
So whilst you are right that the economy should not be built on tourism alone .. the driving force of the economy must be goods and services to include tourism
Regards
it can interesting to know opinion of industry professionals about Dominica agricultural products capacity on international market…seriously does Dominica mega-expensive tomatoes have chances to be sold in large quantities internationally? What exactly dominica is going to export? Famous L. Rose & Co. Limited operated successfully but opted for better African options etc…DCP was s great success but it seems that DCP success was about wisdom of their owner and not about Dominica agriculture per se…Interesting to know what exactly Dominicans are going to export and where? Also interesting to know what make Dominicans think that their agricultural products are going to be bought not South American or even South Asian and African..
“This economy cannot depend on tourism alone. The manufacture industry is on a decline and therefore it is agriculture that has to prop the economy.” – Matthew Walter, Minister of Agriculture, 2013. Boss what year were you and your Labour Party government elected to fix this? So please show us the report card. What have your Labour Party government done about this situation for over 13 years now? Remember in the 70s and 80s we sang “Buy local, local everyday – mama you can save your dollars away”? You still singing this in 2013 and have nothing to show for this: no agro-processing plant, no value added to agricultural goods! Mon dieu no agricultural industry like days gone by! By the way how is the Chevez coffee plant coming along?
now mister wake up man? he forget he is the party minister , and he in power for almost 15 yrs , so many children born and come big and they never had another party in power. mister sick man … he want to be re elected?
”
“break basket of the Caribbean’”
DNO did he say ” break” instead of bread? I will take it as a slip up. Then again Mathew maybe was poked out of his deep slumber and just spoke. Mathew as my darling Tri-State would say “as you were.”
aye where mr was? shouldnt he be the one handing dapex the check? after all this time now mr know agri is the basis of our economy?
Skeriit destroyed agriculture long time ago .MATHEW SAID NOTHING Today he gave a cheque to DAPEX to glorify and exalt himself as he always does.As minister for agriculture he did not use you to do it.Our Minister are too spineless,Shameless,middleboneless amd childish kissing Skerrit’s donkey
Walter just woke up, ” I had a dream that Tourism and Agriculture will walk hand in hand. Free at last for Agri.. free at last!” Back to sleep.
It is laughable, this guy is having a press conference,to say what? we should make agri and tori work without giving any proposal as to how they can make it work.after almost 14 years in government that is all you have to show and say? what a shame! I hope Dominican’s are hearing. God, please help us!
Mathew Walters forgot he is the Minister of Agriculture of Dominica for over five years. He is speaking like a stranger, repeating what everyone has said over a decade. Agriculture can, it has the potential,if we take it out from the back burner and put it on the Front burner. It is clear to all Dominicans that this minister and his labour Party are very incompetent they cannot do the JOB,they should do the country a favour pack up and GO……. Alley…Vamous, before the People KICK them out.
That Coffee was strong tan!!
I read somewhere on another Dominica social cite, that a “Dominican” who retired his Canada job and is back in Dominica (under the Mango tree) once considered planting plantain as a curse. “All you will go back and plant plantain” as though planting food is a curse. Agriculture put Dominica on the map. We supplied several Caribbean Islands with produce. But something has to be done with these thieves who go reaping where they sow not. Their hands should be chopped off if catch stealing from the hard working farmer. Many farmers abandoned their estate/garden for the sake of the stealing Rastafarians.
Are we ready to put Dominicans to work or we just taking because it’s election time?
I am happy that you are up and awake now but soon the $ minister will slip another sleeping pill into Agriculture and we will be dormant again for another 5 years.
Now that you declawe what needs to be done, please share your plan with those of us that are ready to build the Agriculture sector.
Nature Island Farms is the answer to your new awakening.
Whether these words were repeated or whether they are similar, he is correct. If D/ca has to depend on seasonal tourism it will not be able to sustain itself.
Has anyone considered, in bygone years many farmers educated their children especially their sons. Their hard-earned dollars sent them to Roseau to high school. They also boarded and lodged in Roseau. They later sought jobs in Roseau and some migrated to other countries, some to pursue a degree or two and then obtained employment in those countries. None returned to farm the land, to assist their parents. All sought white collar employment. I am not blaming them for pursuing a career other than farming. However, this contributed to the decline in agriculture.
As the farmers age and some pass on who will till the land and grow the produces since practically the educated ones are not interested?
Those same children inherited property and money from their parents’ estate. That money was utilized for personal matters. By no means did they consider carrying on in their parents footsteps; not even one.
There are some today who, instead of growing vegetables and fruits grow marijuana and traffic in same. While some are stating, it should be legalized they do not consider the fertile land that is used for this illegal activity which should be used for produce to assist and feed nationals.
Another thought, the cost of purchasing the produce should be reasonable that nationals will be able to afford to purchase them. The prices could be inflated. Consequently, some nationals may not be able to afford to purchase them and the amount they need.
These are a few matters which plague and suppress the agricultural industry and economy.
Minister Walter, you can look into this serious matter to see what can be done to reverse the agricultural trend which obviously is of concern to you and other nationals. Good luck in your endeavour.
Why He telling us dat ?The Opposition has been hammering that very point home!
Mr. walter just do it before Skeritt give You the Boot!
Wait ! I thought You said You were not running again?
What Happen? I wonder
Jump High jump low You must go back,back to the soil!
“… the island can once again be the break basket of the Caribbean…” I suppose he meant bread basket, but this is just wishful thinking.
To paraphrase the late MP and father of the current member for Portsmouth, what we learned in primary school about our main exports being bananas and coconuts is now obsolete because our main exports are now Dominicans. And to paraphrase another Minister (from the Valley) those who remained are the ones to develop Dominica. From that number, those involved in farming are ready to give up out of frustration due to praedial larceny which seems to be one of the most worrying agricultural issues. All my cousin’s yams and his goat were stolen recently. It’s good for the Minister to attempt to “strengthen agriculture to prop up the economy” but the issue of criminals reaping where they did not sow requires crucial attention.
he just arrive in da man
Is Mathew throwing la pawol for Skertit or is he telling us to forgive him and the gang of crooks for destroying our agriculture industry and creating massive poverty in Dominica.
If Mathew Walter and Roosevelt Skerrit believe that their 13 years of destruction can be fixed with showmanship donations and fooling people with vote buying schemes then Dominicans no need to brace ourselves we have long been trapped in the bottom of the pit of poverty.
No dimples or I luv my PM is going to fix the situation. In fact the dimples are gone , the bald head has set in and don’t expect a gang of inepts operating for 13 years to suddenly become proficient in the management of our country.
It is ashame to see what Dominica has become. In any other civilized society these men and women would be asked to get the stepping. A total con operation. 13 years of no growth, no production, relatively the biggest cabinet in the Caribbean and the bigget deficiency in fiscal policies ; the highest level of corruption.
The people of Dominica should not wait but force them out of office. These con men should be prosecuted for taking a salary , perks and benifits under false pretense. I may come across as too strong but this is the harsh reality that we have even facing and the government and Mathew Walters have been totally indifferent about the continuous calls to rebuild our agriculture. Instead of engagement and nation building this government has been engaged in coverups; blaming everything and everybody else but themselves.the opposition abscence from parliament cannot be the reason why farmers who were once proud and independent are now paupers; no amount of propaganda on the animal show is going to make life better for the masses ; it is only those wh spread the propaganda are progressing. The evidence is not far fetch.
Interestingly soe of s will argue that education is important for leadership position but the same set of people pay a blind ee to total failures and incapabilities of those who have been in office for 13 years.
No or has to agree with my opinion or assessment just walk around Rseau or Portsmouth , take a drive thru the agricultural belt and et your conscience be your guide. As for me and my family we will do what is good for our country and we won’t e bamboozled by fools gold and we won’t be guilty of foolish pride and ignorance
So if you know that why do you give legitimate farmers run around when the want to get duty free? Tout sa paka fais pwa chwit Mr Minister of Agricultchaaa.
Why do Dominicans think that other Caribbean countries eat dasheen and fig
Dominica have jokes – even in misery we still have laughs. The an was in Antigua 6 months ago publically admitting that his government put agriculture on the back burner.
Are we serious to have these jackba$$$$$ in government for 13 years and only now realizing that agriculture mut and should be the backbone of our economy. All the while they display their rrogance and corruption the citizens who were 13 – 16 years old who could have been exposed to agriculture as a sustainable way of life these people would today be the 26 – 30 year old productive farmers and citizens. Instead the few aged farmers are now charged with the responsibility of paying the Petro Caribe debt and rebuilding a demolished economy. Who are these A seloh (backwards) fooling.
In my opinion these A seloh should be put in jail for atrocities against a people.
13 years wasted, 13 years that we can never get back. 13 years of non production and 13 years that many people could have had a descent life – a life of not being humiliated by a red clinic program or the indignity of waiting for a fifty dollar bill during election camaign or when the Parl Rep decide to hand out a fifty dollar bill out of his constituency allowance check..
a joke dat man! mister ‘raining’ nuh…
Will you people stop criticize every thing that the government does, I have not heard, or read one thing that the other party has plan for Dominica’s future all you do is critizise,will you guy’s stop it and try to be one to build a better Dominica .is this all you can do it is ashamed to see what Dominica has come to is this how a mad high school drop out can spread so much hatred in our Dominica,
lol,
that I checking there.
You are against what the minister is pointing out which is the truth. Dominica never imported so much food from abroad. Looks like you are one of the lazy ones who do not want to work the land but are willing to get eveything handed to you for free.
If he “raining”? No, he Snowing….(reigning) next time, OK?
Mr Walters really said this…..in 2013….This has ben said since 1978 as part of our Independence drive….it was said 12 years ago when labour party got into office and in every budget speech of Skerrit notion of this has been whispered with no follow up policy, guidance, action plan, or even direction and strategic plan.
This is what Walters is saying in 2013
“This economy cannot depend on tourism alone. The manufacture industry is on a decline and therefore it is agriculture that has to prop the economy,” Walter said at a press conference on Monday afternoon. “We have to merge agriculture with tourism and make it work. We have to ensure that the young people of this country get themselves employed in agriculture.”
Who are you talking to Walters???This man has been in office for years and he and his corrupt government has done nothing than blowing hot wind that they have lost it, earns tax payers money for years and now awoken, realise that he has been receiving tax payers to sleep on the job? Walters talk to Skerrit and hold his hand and kick him out of office.
Walters what is or where is your action plan? what is the strategy…what is going on..?
Who beat you….why you crying….?
You guys are real jokers…….are you qualified for the job????..If your headmaster isn’t what do you expect….poor results.????
I am upset……
Why do you not save this in your archives for next Independence Day Celebration or a few years from now and refer to it to see if the identical words were spoken and by another politician.
It is time to offer some suggestions rather than criticism and negativity.
Walter ‘Rip Van Winkle’ Matthew just woke from his slumber.
please let me add some ideas – for many other islands financial services is the main source of revenue…you could have it also but you do nothing to develop and promote…nope you continue to tell same old and dumb story all over again: tourism-agriculture-agriculture-tourism…good luck
You mean we have a minister of agic. in DA and he is alive?
Yes Matt…
…and what do you 
(Skeritt) 
plan to DO about the situation? Axe Ambrose for help 
that’s what he studied. 
At least you have a point for once…will give you your credit, hope your big leader take advice.
A le sala’
Where was Matthew Walter all of a sudden,De moomoo talking then. So long the farmers asking to merge Tourism and Agriculture, like he never heard the song from Soul Puss ” Back to the Soil”
How long has this man been in the position of Agriculture Minister ? was he asleep all this time?
He must have had an “epiphany” recently, what a joke !!
I guess Elections must be around the corner !!!!
now you wake up man?
Boss u all are jokers!jokers! FINALLY U AGREEE that DLP has destroyed Dominica and now u asking to restore it to what is used to be –the bread basket of the Caribbean. Ti take DLP and u as a minister 14years to destroy the country and now realize the disaster you all have placed on the backs of Dominican. Simple solution–GET OUT OF OFFICE!! U did not make it better for 14yrs another 5 will worsen the situation. Be a gentleman and step down and learn from the new comers with an aggressive plan to restore DALP please save our children—Get OUT OF OFFICE!!
It look like you are not getting any help from the LP. Take your banner and go and stand outside the Prime Minister office and demonstrate.
My 8 year old daughter read this article before me and said, “Daddy come and see Margie and confusion from a government minister.” Since I was busy I asked her to point out those Margie and confusion to me and she went;
The first paragraph makes no sense “Dominica’s economy cannot depend solely on tourism and the island can once again be the ‘break basket of the Caribbean’ if the government continues to put agriculture on the front burner, according to agriculture minister, Matthew Walter.” Then she made the following observasion:
1. If according to him, “Dominica can once again be the bread basket of the Caribbean” implies that at one time Dominica was that bread basket. If so, not while his government was in power Dominica lost that bread basket?
2. What does he mean by, “If the government continues to put agriculture on the front burner?” Did he mean to say …on the back burner? Was he trying to hit the government in a smart way?
3.Why did he start by talking about what Dominica needs to do and gradually blamed it on the Caribbean to the point that he used Dominica and Caribbean interchangeably?
4.Is it because he is not contesting the next election and since agriculture failed under his watch, he is technically telling people that the reason it failed is because his government tried to put tourism on the front burner and agriculture on the back burner?
Then I said if an 8 year old girl could understand the message then why should a 15 year old or an adult not get it?
So it’s factual that Dominica is the Fools Paradise.
Heard a audio clip of that gentleman saying that Agriculture was placed on the “back burner” by his
Labour Party Regime…
Honestly are Dominicans background from Planet Mars….man them people spill out conflicting and garbage as a ruling regime…
Dominica Labour Party..is a misleading Cult..
If we do not buy these imported foods we don’t need then the merchants will have no choice but to stop the ordering of these foods.
At the same time we can begin to unite and focus on agriculture and agro-processing.
mr minister u kill agriculture u should be shame skirit is giving dapex money to start agriculture u guys not ready we a going to vote u all out get ready change is coming