Cocoa farmers from the Northern and Western Agricultural regions who participated in a Farmer field school programme were presented with certificates of accomplishment at a graduation ceremony at the Cabrits on Tuesday April 22nd.
The eight-week training programme which commenced in January and February 2014 respectively focused on pruning techniques.
The programme organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA) also involved practical hands on experience and sharing of farmer experiences.
“Before we used the cutlass to cut extra leaves and branches but from the field school we learned that we should never use the cutlass, we should use the chain saws and other equipment. As a result I have started using those tools on my farm,” Laurel Lewis a cocoa farmer of Penville stated in her review of the programme.
Cyrus Sebastien, a cocoa farmer from Coulibistrie said he has been equipped with valuable information about sanitary and structural pruning.
“Sanitary pruning refers to cleanliness and structural refers to keeping the plants in good shape. We also learnt that it’s bad practice to climb a cocoa tree during harvest. We were told that whenever we are pruning the branches of the cocoa tree we should be careful about not over cutting the branches,” Sebastien reported.
Meanwhile Theodora Anthony- Williams who facilitated the training exercise summarizes the farmer field school programme as worthwhile.
She is confident that cocoa farmers now have an added impetus to rehabilitate their cocoa farms and increase production.
“Today I can boldly say that you are that you are quite competent and equipped to prune and rehabilitate your plot. The work of learning has now started, go out to your fields and revive those cocoa trees, “she said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Harold Guiste admonished cocoa farmers to use their newly acquired skills to enhance production.
“Knowledge is power. Now you are able to work on getting the maximum out of your product. Do not be afraid of change. Let us try something different and see what happens. I believe greater efficiency will be realized in the type of practices that was taught during the field school programme,”Guiste said.
Director of Agriculture Ricky Brumant is encouraged by the efforts and enthusiasm of cocoa farmers to breathe new life into the cocoa industry.
“Cocoa for us in the Ministry of Agriculture is a very important crop, it can be considered a very strategic crop and it has proven to be a top of the line income earner. The Ministry of Agriculture will certainly engage farmers across the country and all the collaborators in ensuring that we meet our targets in establishing, rehabilitating and to ensure that we have the production that we require to meet our own market demands,” remarked Brumant.
The newly trained farmers were told that the enabling environment will continue to be created to allow them to thrive in the industry.
Burmant stated that the Government of Dominica is currently investing 1.2 million dollars in the construction of a cocoa processing area and drying facility in Marigot.
“We are now setting up the drying facility in Marigot and that will take care of one of the first steps for export for agro processing. We will continue putting the required infrastructure as is needed for us to develop that crop further,” Brumant assured.
The Division of Agriculture views cocoa production as one way of diversifying Dominica’s agricultural sector. Plans are to produce sufficient cocoa for local consumption as well as for export.
Hope we are going to get overseas markets for the coco production. We cannot consume all these coco. We have to also remember we have competition with the other farmers in other countries like the banana industry, citrus, coffee etc.
I would like to know why Haitian mangoes are on the market in the USA especially New York and Dominica have no agriculture produce in the US selling. The “Mango Long” we grow all that in Dominica in the US they just call in Haitian mangoes. And we saying Haiti is poor and they are know, what is going on with the Government of Dominica. All the south American counties have produce in the US and why not Dominica we are right there, few hours from the USA?
Why is the young lady holding the certificate so close to her, its like she doesnt want to give it. lol…..
Work market cocoa beans, castor oïl seeds, dry coconuts, Lucky lili and more. Nature Isle you’re my Dominica I love you from the bottom on my heart, Lovely Dominica, you are so sweet to me.
A government that is working. Bravo!!
With strong working hands.