Seven local organizations signed contracts this morning to receive funds under a government Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Programme geared towards improving the agricultural sector in Dominica.
The funds are being made available through the European Union and the government of Dominica under its Special Framework for Assistance (SFA) 2000.
EU 2,520,000 was granted from which a Framework for Agri-Business Development and Enterprise (FADE) project was implemented and an amount of EC$277,000 made available for specific capacity building projects.
Under the FADE program, the Dominica Chamber of Agri-Business( DCAB) received just over $38,892.25, the Dominica Scout Association received $38,000, and the Dominica Organic Agriculture Movement (DOAM), Western Citrus Farmers Association, Dominica Herbal Business Association (DHBA, Dominica Poultry Producers Association (DPPA), and the Cochrane Village Improvement Committee each received $40,000.
Each of the recipients was required to write their projects and submit them to FADE for approval.
Among these projects, the Scout movement presented a proposal which was aimed at getting youth involved in agriculture through school and community programs.
The Cochrane Village Improvement Committee presented a project aimed at developing the increasingly popular Rabbit Festival, traditionally held on an open playing field, by providing tents. This endeavor will seek to enhance the comfort level of patrons. The funds will also provide freezers for the storage of rabbit meat.
The Dominica Organic Agricultural Movement, a non-profit organization with over 100 members, presented a project aimed at strengthening the capacity of DOAM facilitated through the purchase of basic office equipment as well as through facilitation of training sessions for members. There will also be the dissemination of organic information into the wider society.
Dominica Chamber of Agri-Business proposed to assist members to increase their revenue and value from agro industrial and agricultural investment through the establishment of a secretariat.
At a FADE Grant Award contract signing ceremony, held at the National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) this morning, Chairperson Mark John encouraged the recipients to not only spend the funds wisely, but to account for every cent spent with proper documentation.
well this is really facinating……
i wonder if we can sleep wel when money os just a tol for prodution..and country food security?
In a time when land is being destroyed for building elsewhere, it is good to see Dominica still being recognised for what it represents
Hope they account for every penny, most often they do a magic trick and money disappears into thin air, the people and the media should keep them honest. The EU won’t give anymore if we screw up.
Great things aer happening in Dominica and i guess thats a plus for developing businesses