Dominica has been told that its food import rate is not in keeping with the food and nutrition security policy that it is developing.
The country is importing about US$24-million worth of food annually, said Dr. Ballayram, Food Economist at the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI).
He said Dominica, which is an agriculture-based country, is importing food that is leading to chronic non-communicable diseases.
“We still import about US$24-million of food every year into Dominica. A lot of that food is calorie-dense, high in fat, high in sodium, high in sweeteners and they lead to obesity and chronic diseases, so that is a major issue with agricultural availability of food,” he said.
The draft food and nutrition security policy has been developed here and officials have been meeting to revise it. Food availability is one of the components of the policy, which Dr. Ballayram said has not yet been addressed.
The CFNI, Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and Food and Agricultural Organisation are assisting Dominica in development of the policy.
To totally blame our present situation squarely on the present govt, is not a position i can support. Dominica, like all other caribbean countries have ben on this path in many things, agriculture and nutrition is just the latest. We have been cultivating an educational mentality that preaches everything else to our kids as professions, but never do we give stature to the profession of FARMER. Added to that we have a local economy that is premised on import taxes… and no body seems bothered by that madness.we need to start with a sound education policy, not just to students, but the nation as a whole… that gives prominence to the idea of largescale farming… and the govt definitely needs to give serious mobility to sharing much more of public lands to enable such initiatives.
And govt give certain companies tax reduction for importing APPLE, GRAPE AND CRANBERRY juice, are we really looking at the situationas it unfolds.
This is a very good topic for discusion. But it is so sad that the people are so divided. Almost everything that is brought up turns into a finger pointing UWP DLP you may as well blame it on the rain! The Gov. is not preventing you from going in the garden. I have seen one legged men over age 70 going in garden with his old Donkey and old wife. Grandmothers, Grandfathers. The young people need to get off there backsides and help. If you have an education great but if you do not get your tail in the garden! The Gov. is not subsidising the Ganja growers but they never give up. Where there is a will there is a way. Stop blaiming each other and unite!
altough u have a very good point u fail to address how going to the garden will provide sustainable income… the government must provide the markets or point the garden goers in the right direction.. so they can get incentives to produce not only for themselves but for the country
When I first began coming to Dominica, I used to brag that this beautiful country was free of American franchises. There have been films in the states like “Supersize Me” that showed how a steady diet of fast food made you fat and worse very unhealthy. Then gradually they started to appear. KFC, Subway, Pizza Hut. To the uninformed this may seem like progress, modernization, Dominica entering the wider world. To me I see people here becoming addicted to salt, fat, sugar and corporatism. Now there is a movement in American to eat locally and preferable organically grown food in season. Here that is so easily done and was done until quite recently. That is way the country had so many centenarians, Now people here suffer from the diseases of civilization, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
since the dominica labour party came into power they killed the agriculture sector, they stop assist farmers, farm access roads are in poor conditions.the country need agriculture and we all gotta eat.
What are we doing right in Dominica? We have the wrong people in the wrong places so our business will never go good. We will always be going in circles. Nutrition education is totally lacking, what are we using channel 7 for?
As a Registered Dietitian I genuinely support this article. Dominica is blessed with such natural food hence there is no reason to import junk food from the US. Blacks have the highest percentage rate of chronic disease such as diabetes and hypertension and junk food increases obesity which is another factor we should take into consideration. I was quite surprise to see the long lines for food at KFC (saturated fat) in Dominica, when there is so much fish, fruits, vegetables and ground produce available. Dominica has all the great natural foods which I purchase almost everyday at a much higher cost. It would be very good for Dominicans if less junk food is imported; such would promote healthy lifestyles.
the island need property tax it will help the island in alot ways and tax the business owns
oh shut up!!
Oh yes New Jersey, that’s what we really need: More taxes!
I agree with you the island need more taxes. We depend on other countries for financial aid whent these countries tax their citizens. For example, in New York City if you have property you pay tax, pay federal taxes, pay New York City taxes. These people pay alot of taxes because that’s the way the country can get money.
We in Dominica should pay taxes especially propery taxes.
DNO, just last week i was listening to the Budget debate of the Antigua parliament and the Minister of Agriculture Mr Baptiste made a disclosure that Antigua imports 9 million pounds of agricultural produce from Dominica, Barbados orders fruits and vegetables from Isreal, base on that alone its a shame the we are talking about Obesity in Dominica, i remember in the seventies the labor party under the leadership of Patrick John had a trade show at the Gardens and the theme of that show was grow what we eat and eat what we grow, it was critized by the Dominica Freedom party, persons like Edward Scobie wrote in the Dominica herald that the labor party ministers wanted to eat steak and rice while they want the masses to eat fig and dasheen, today the time is telling. Mr Louis this dedicated farmer should not be having any problems in selling all his fruits and local produce grown on his farm, Government needs to get a grip on the situation even if it is by imposing restrictions on these harmful products, today in New York City public schools kids are not allowed to bring in sodas or any consumables that can lead to there cronic disease as a result obesity is on the decline in the public school system, pl, pl, pl, the health authorities need a marshall plan to curb this situation orther wise it will be a burden on our nation treasury in the long run to treat these persons. EAT WHAT WE GROW AND GROW WHAT WE EAT
This is so moronic. The time of PJ as PM was over thirty years ago and making reference to what happened then is not the way we address what is happening today. Under the very same Freedom party and under the UWP as well agriculture was doing well. If you check the records we were bringing in millions into the state coffers off agriculture. The cost of buying agricultural products locally was within the means of those at the lower income level. We cannot say the same of these two situations today.The fact is the current administrators have destroyed the agricultural sector in Dominica.
Asterix, Much respect to your view, all am saying, had we taken on the approch of the labor party in the seventies to grow aht we eat and eat what we grow we would have develop a culture of using our local produce, even our poultry products could be another avenue of some form of suatainable industry for Dominica, once again much thanks for your comparison but my point of view remains the same
WHAAPEN to all you !I love my BOXMASTER OUI!!It is Chiney American!
…and he caused every kindred, tongue and nation to drink of the wrath of her fornication…
Read it in Revelation, you’ll find your redemption.
Revelation 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast–all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God…
Fight back Dominicans boycot the fast food. Good time to join the Rasta’s and start a natural revolution! Just look at the Americans and what the junk food has done to them. This is you in a few years. Even worse because you don’t have the health care system to deal with all these illnesses. My heart breaks for Dominica so green but mostly bush, turn that bush into food. Jah bless.
It’s a D***M SHAME !!!
We have enough local products to live a fun and healthy life here but we not using our heads,,so the importers are thinking for us and WE WILL PAY THE CONSEQUENCES (Diabetes,Cancer,Obesity problems etc,,,).
They get rich and we think we making progress because we are able to consume more and more JUNK.
Today we have the possibility of making Dominica a “true” NATURE ISLAND and gain the “true” respect and admiration of the rest of the world. Think about it,, Act now,, Or REGRET IT in a few years from now.
the intellectually bankrupt individuals who are at the helm cannot afford to lose the revenue from import duties , since they have created no alternative source of revenue, but have plunged us further into debt with statehouse project among others, so we have to continue to pay with our lives, so that they can collect revenue from the port. Its a damn shame…. Ohh!!! allu though we would not have to pay some way or the other??? its just a pity that most of who has to pay have not benefited at all….
Education is key, the people need to be educated on proper nutrition. It is sad Dominica was once considered a very healthy nation, now it made the list of top 10 unhealthy nation.
Ironically, food imports are far more beneficial to government revenue than local agricultural output. Imports are subject to high import duties + vat, whereas locally produced foods (incl. fisheries) are exempt from tax and largely escape vat too because of the way they are brought to market. In fact they cost govt. more than they bring in.We should have a honest debate about this if we are to change our food supply chain.
yeh this would be an interesting debate….not only we should reduce our imports but we should increase our exports,aricultural produce….agro processing…this mean increase foreign exchange, more income for farmers, more employment (in agro-processing),many other linkages..just like in the days of “Green Gold” but better…if only Workers was in power eh!!!
You have a short memory Pat. Remember it was the UWP Govt. that used EU funds, intended for the rehabilitation of the banana industry, to subsidize prices to the farmers instead.If I recall correctly the EU was not at all amused. Of course it was pure coincidence that the head of Govt. at the time happend to be a leading banana grower himself.
Thats where u have to blame each and every one we know better when i come down to da all i eat is fish,local eggs,and chicken.Its so funny when u go to some restaurants and ask for your local juices oh we dont have but they have sodas i just say no thanks i’ll drink water.We dominicans to easily influence just because its on the shelf u dont have to buy it.Its like my mom going to courts to buy a prefab dresser when they have hard wood ones being made local.
Dominicans are too busy running their mouths all day all night to find the time to even plant a banana tree in their backyards.
They sit and complain and complain, most times without any solutions to the complaints they raise. They expect the government to do it all for them, while they sit on their lazy butts politicking and yapping all day.
So its clear you’re a dominican right.you just yapping and not giving NO solution.smh
Totally concur…. The government has crippled it’s own development because our agricultural capacity is compatible with development: we should be capitalizing on the available resources for food production…. That could develop our manufacturing industry, increase employment and allowing us to be self-sufficient… but the gov’t is more busy trying to seek grants and loans than exploring ideas that would assist Dominica in regaining great financial stability.
i see, longtime i saying dat, we have enough land to raise our animals, fouls, pigs, goats and sheep, even fish they importing now; papamet oye, while our potential farmers and fishermen sitting on the side road doing nofing or driving bus; i say, put a ban on all imported chicken or meat for that matter, or do like trinidad and barbados, put a heavy import bill on dem so that people will be forced to buy local. amen
it has always left me baffled how a so-called agricultural country import so much food… everyone is into fast food… i can’t believe it… our agricultural sector is crippled.. the real backbone of our nation… too much chemical induced products on our shelves.. we don’t even need to import meat.. why can’t we have chicken and pig.. cattle farms etc in dominica… these are things the gov’t together with private investors can go into… and package meats and other products…. yes it’s meat but at least it will be fresh.. if not then fresher than what we import…. dominica crying to it’s knees….
Let’s not forget that the powers that be, allowed a fast food company to set up shop right next to the market where we sell our agricultural products. While one may argue that the proprietors set up shop on their private property, do not forget to that the powers that be instituted a no parking policy on the side of the road adjacent to the market to restrict persons delivering agricultural products to the market all in an effort to accommodate drive thru traffic for that fast food company. Let’s not forget to of most significance, the amounts budgeted annually to the agricultural sector. If anyone considers these facts seriously then you will realize that agriculture is not a priority for an agricultural country and you will see to where we are headed with such management. Reading this quote from the doctor will tell it all “The draft food and nutrition security policy has been developed here and officials have been meeting to revise it. Food availability is one of the components of the policy, which Dr. Ballayram said has not yet been addressed”
everything u said…. i agree to… the gov’t have let us down… they have almost single handedly let the agricultural sector die…
@ Asterix
I support your views 100%. A KFC fast food which is high in salt, high in additives, high in sugar was given the goahead to establish business nex to the Roseau Market. High sugar, high salt, high cholesterol and saturated fat,and high additives are predisposing factors to the high rate of non-communicable diseases in Dominca – diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, renal disease and cancer.
Setting up a fast food next to the Roseau market where local produce are sold certainly conveys a message to the Dominican people. That is, if one is tired, and rushed they won’t bother to buy the local produce and take the time to cook. Instead they would buy the fast food that is loaded in salt, sugar and saturated fat and cholesterol.
Our emphasis should always be on health education and health promotion. These non-communicable disease are avoidable if we give serious thought to our eating habits and the needs of our nation.
The fast food outlet should not have had the permission to set up business next to the Roseau Market. Another location would have sent a different message. Certainly, the location of the fast food outlet portrays conflicting messages. Indeed, individuals have choices and at the end of the day, the choice is theirs.
WE must grow what we eat and eat what we grow – that is the answer!
It is all well and good to keep saying we should do this and we should do that. But how many of us are making the effort to do these things? Can we leave everything up to the government?
I believe we need a few bright entrepreneurs to step forward. Give the chinese some competition. If we do not get the necessary support we need from the government then we can complain.
Ha boy!! why eat fig, Dasheen,shoo and Karyee when we have Subway, KFC and Chineese
well, them fellars have succeeded in distroying our agricultural sector..so i guess we will have to eat ramen and chicken soup
What is worse the importers want to have their employees work 7 days a week – further killing them with all that imported junk
Forkit, ramen and chicken soup? That’s only for poor people. The big boys eat Angus steak,smoked salmon and grapes (…all locally produced!). Set your sights higher my boy.