Although sessions have been ongoing since Sunday, the 10th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) held its official opening ceremony last evening, with meetings set to continue throughout the week under the theme ‘Food and Nutrition Security’, with stakeholders from across the Caribbean in attendance.
Minister of Agriculture Matthew Walter in his address to the delegates in attendance stressed the importance of the theme and indicated that there exists a need for constant critical assessment of such issues in an effort to avert societal decay.
He remarked, “The time for action is now. Food and nutrition security is a matter that must be given urgent and due weight throughout these activities. We must continue our efforts to ensure that the people from the region are guarded against hunger, poverty and social regression. Information is king. In that thrust, the irons need to be strengthened so that its mandate can be manifested in a manner which allows for more effective monitoring, evaluation and resource mobilization, in an effort to continue the education on pertinent agricultural issues.”
He also spoke of Dominica’s recent bouts with the forces of nature due to its susceptibility to climate change, but that there was hope as sectors show signs of recovery.
“The expectation at the COTED agricultural meeting on Friday is that the CWA culminates with a pragmatic course of action that will be able to respond speedily to the issues identified at the various forums. Notwithstanding, I stand here today and proudly attest that here in Dominica the flicker of hope still shines bright in 2011. The agricultural sector is expected to rebound. With an overall projected growth rate of 4%. A complete turnaround of the sector is anticipated as things normalize following the drought, supported by Government policies to sustain the sector. The banana sub-sector which suffers at the hand of a WTO decision is expected to grow by roughly 10%. Hope is alive,” Walter stated.
Meantime, acting Prime Minister Ambrose George commended the CWA initiators on achieving their tenth convention of the CWA.
George said, “The initiators of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture are to be congratulated for having reached this milestone and my thanks and best wishes go out to them for ongoing and future successes in challenging the power of Caribbean Agriculture and of the farmers who are the most critical actors in sustaining this vital sector.”
He continued, “I note with interest your very packed programme and I am impressed that you have hit the ground running, having begun your technical sessions since Sunday. I trust that you have been satisfied with the proceedings thus far and are beginning to see the elements of the most successful CWA ever convened to date.”
Production of plants and the rearing of livestock cant be grown on a cumputer or a podium shame shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
stupes with that comess man
Based on my findings on the causes of food security there is no doubt that my country Dominica is impacted similarly to the rest of the other countries around the world. Like other countries Dominica has suffered just to name a few: Disrupted plans in the agri sector due to natural disasters such as hurricane and drought.
The change in the EU Banana Regime has hurt our export performance.
New trade regimes and related policies originating from the north have tended to widen the economic disparity and aggravate poverty and food insecurity for the less fortunate segments.
It is important to note we are all significant contributors to the environment issues that have lead to major problems in the world today; we should make no reservations to help properly manage our environment for its sustainability as it relates to food security.We should believe the change must begin with us as we take one step at a time to help preserve and protect the millions of people dying every year because of food insecurity and health issues. I have learnt no one approach is better than the other but it depends in what context it is being used.We are encouraged to do everything possible within our power to improve food security in Dominica and by extension the world.Through proper planning and education we can help curb some environment issues to lessen food insecurity. Encourage and exercise good hygiene practices. Foster greater cooperation among communities to work collaboratively to carry out clean up campaign. Foster the awareness of healthy food eating practices, at home, school and at social activities. Reducing our food importation and eating what we grow and grow what we eat will boost food production within Dominica and hence persons will have the opportunity to eat healthier and improve food security as it applies to our context.
When the budget allocation is dwindling with every budget, when government refuses to pay their basic dues as other islands do for caribbean research and development…as we the farmers have all said its just spinning Top in Mud.
Going backwards rapidly
The time for action is now Mr minister? Farmers have been asking for action for the last 11 years . What have you and your predecessors done in this very important ministry of agriculture. our farmers are suffering and you guys want to come talk about imminent action.
Politicians are interesting- they have no shame .
When tourism can be placed on the front burner in place of agriculture, how can we expect to prosper as a nation? “Tourism is every body’s business”, so says the slogan, but bear in mind that the tourism dollars are getting fewer & fewer and the travelling public is looking to get value for money. Check out the cruise ship schedule for this season, fewer calls and smaller ships.
A hungry man is an angry man. People have to eat. Water, food and housing are basic necessities for every human being.
Dominica has the capacity and capability of producing food to feed its people and the people of the Caribbean as well. Among the many slogans that are out there about Dominica, there ought also to be one “Dominica, the food basket of the Caribbean”.
Farmers are not lazy people, they are hard working people. The present day farmers (save for a few) are up there in age and the younger generation has not been informed of the importance of farming for the well being of the Nation, both in terms of health and the economy.
When you give incentives to fisherfolk, vendors and the like, why can farmers not get incentives too? The cost of insurance for farmers is beyond their reach, the premiums are exorbitant. The cost of inputs keeps rising, reliable labour (and cost of labour) is a big problem.
We need to stop talking the talk, and walk the walk instead.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
these document are taking dust because of the conspiracy to keep african people poor.
agriculture is part of what makes us a dignified people because we must eat what we grow as long as food is in the ground; but those who represent the beast just cant stand to see black children running around happy, healthy, smart with well nourished bodies.
the trick is to help the convert the beast and change their plans around. It’s a tall order, but that is the last alternative to total destruction.
ALL THE BEST TO CWA
we all live in hope to see a growth in the agri sector.
this we will cee when those “brains inthe ministry of agriculture is dead or cone.
if on the front burner we are only given 10,000000 dollars how much can this do for an enthire sector that is so wide spread.what you need to do is tell the government to stop play politics with agriculture and give it what is asked for by the people who are trained in agriculture and knows what is needed .tell them to stop cutting our budjet and plans.
Im glad that you all got the message, Athie, keep pulling out the consultant reports that there taking dust, allu cannot tell me there was a consultants report for SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE for 2006 to 2015 and it just there sitting in the ministry of agriculture taking dust…. what are our priorities people??? WHY DO WE FEEL THE NEED TO HIDE RELEVANT AND PERTINENT INFORMATION???????