The Government of Dominica is to begin the implementation of a “National Multi-Purpose Agro-Processing Facility Project” for the critical enhancement of the agro-processing sector which will play an important role in achieving the government’s vision for agriculture.
The project was launched on Wednesday, September 14, at the Dominica Bureau of Standards, Stockfarm.
It is executed by the Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA) and received funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) under the CARIFORUM and the CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY) (CSME) Standby Facility.
This new initiative is one of two agro-processing projects in Dominica.
During her speech at the ceremony, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Margaret Roudette-Baptiste, said the government of Dominica recognizes the agro-processing sector as an important vehicle for development.
“Value addition to Dominica’s fresh agricultural produce is identified as having significant potential to contribute to the country’s social development and resilience. Thus, the government has indicated its prioritization of the industry with the artic of the developmental goals in numerous national policy documents,” she stated.
Roudette-Baptiste said that among the actions to assist in the pursuit of these goals are building farmers’ capacity and capabilities, expanding and intensifying Dominica’s production of export and fresh produce, improving the overall trade position (including narrowing the significant negative trade balance), and broadening the reach to regional and international markets.
“Indeed, this project is quite timely and absolutely necessary as we intensify focus on increasing value-added products for local consumption and export,” she stated. “To our private sector here today, I can assure you that we will continue to avail ourselves to create the enabling environment, institutional strengthening and infrastructural development required.”
According to Miguel Almeyda, Head of the Private Sector Unit Project Department at the CDB, the bank is pleased to manage the standby facility which is a multi-year program through which the CARICOM member states are becoming better equipped to participate in global trade.
He added that as part of the region’s role in the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, the project also contributes to reducing food insecurity and advancing women’s empowerment in agriculture.
The government recently announced that it is expected that with its new thrust in agriculture, that sector will contribute XCD $700 million to the GDP by the year 2030.
What we need desperately is a new all inclusive industrial site for manufacturers and agro processors. With its own port and other complimentary services like bonded warehousing on site, security, recycling, research and development lab and testing facility, renewable energy (solar) to cut operating costs, housing for workers (dorm) on site, adequate restaurant/food court etc etc.
We cannot think that all agro processors will be able to use this new multi purpose facility because not every operation is the same. What we need is adequate production space that is GMP certified and can allow producers to increase production capacity at the standard desired by our intended markets. We cannot continue to produce from our kitchens and basements and expect to be able to adequately satisfy foreign markets, much less for local.
Isn’t this another case of Skerrit deja vu? Remember the abattoir and don’t forget the coffee factory. They got to the stage of almost being operational and then everything stopped. Why? Incompetence? Other shady reasons?Dominicans would be well advised not to listen to the man anymore. Demand results! We’ve had just talking for over 20 years now. The man needs to deliver or better even he has to go because what he couldn’t deliver in 20 years he won’t be able to deliver in the next 10 years. Let’s face it the man and his ‘government’ turned out to be an utter failure. When do DLP supporters finally admit that they were fooled by this man.
Are you feeling alright? The Abbatoir is still functioning.. Where you think the fresh pork and chicken ia being slaughtered??
You just saying what you want?
Is it? Have you recently brought any pigs or chicken to be slaughtered? There isn’t even a proper road leading up to the place. Try again!
I still don’t know what going to be processed in that multi-purpose facility. These people still don’t get it. What BRANDED products are going to come out of that facility, How will it be used? Who will manage it? How will existing Agro -processors be able to make use of, Or Share the facility? Talk talk talk talk talk…. Why couldn’t the coffee plant in the north be used to complement agro processors, such as choco domnik, to expand their production?
When a Crime Minister of any country is scared that the FBI might pick him up anytime it’s really hard to concentrate on anything meaningful. The man is so damn scared that if a leaf falls on him he will poopoo on him . So I don’t pay attention on anything this one man government says
Thirteen years ago, I was commissioned to make equipment recommendations for a European Development Fund Agri-business Development Program. My report covered five sectors, one of which was citrus juice pasteurizing and processing.
For that sector I recommended “High Temperature Short Residence Time Pasteurizer” coupled with Hot Fill Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottling. This process retains all the juice’s original taste and nutrition and gives an un-refrigerated shelf life in excess of twelve months.
The total cost of the processing and bottling plant, sufficient to cope with Dominica’s citrus crop, would have been less than the cost of a couple of coaster buses. The juices processed by the plant could have enabled Dominica to gain valuable exports.
Needless to say, my recommendations were not accepted. Instead, Dominica was presented with two boiling coppers.
Hence, my belief that Third World funding is designed to keep the Third World in the Third World.
So it’s taken this government twenty years to realize that there should not be a singular focus on hotel construction { the new level}, and that a multi sector coordinated approach is the only way to grow the economy. Now it’s talk let’s see the resultant actions. Don’t forget the vast number of promises made and never kept by this administration. I’m watching them