Acting Prime Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, has said the traditional practices that the country has grown used to in marketing agricultural produce, are no longer relevant.
Blackmoore made that statement while addressing the official opening ceremony of the Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA) multi-purpose pack houses held at Longhouse, Portsmouth on Friday.
According to him, the facility is a long time in coming and will benefit the farmers of Dominica, hucksters and the agricultural sector.
“The traditional practices we have grown used to in marketing our agricultural produce is no longer relevant and cannot be applied in 2016,” he said. “It means therefore, if our hucksters and farmers are to survive on regional and international markets, we must meet the best practices and ensure that what they produce are indeed properly packaged to meet the required standards.”
Blackmoore said the quality requirement therefore cannot be an option.
“There is no substitute for quality; it is therefore an imperative,” he remarked.
He explained that proper infrastructure is being put in place to facilitate farmers and hucksters.
Blackmoore said the government is also embarking on a number of measures and initiatives to get farmers and hucksters to buy into the idea of adopting best practices.
Meanwhile, MP for the Portsmouth constituency, Ian Douglas, stated that although the journey has been a long and tedious one fraught with financial and infrastructural challenges, the government has prevailed in making these facilities one of the best in the region.
He said the Government of Dominica has invested heavily in the construction of these multi-purpose pack houses.
He noted that Portsmouth is a well known place for the export of fresh produce in Dominica and there are a number of activities that will benefit because of the location of the facility.
“This include increase shipping activities, employment opportunities in related fields, but most importantly it will serve as an outlet for our farmers from the north, north-east and the west agricultural regions,” he explained.
Douglas said that to-date, 8 persons have been employed at the facility and an additional 6 will be employed to achieve the full component when the facility is in full operation.
“The operationalization of the pack houses will also allow us to implement recommendations for the development of the Guadeloupe and Martinique markets,” he added.
He said the government of Dominica is committed to provide the necessary support to ensure that, through this facility, hard working and committed hucksters will be able to source quality commodities that are graded and properly packaged in order to met export requirements.
“This opportunity will address the concerns echoed by our trading partners in the other islands on the quality of our fresh produce that are exported from Dominica,” the minister stated. “Some hucksters and exporters have already started buying into the concept and are currently placing orders for packaged fresh produce with the pack houses and we are encouraged that more persons will make use of the services offered,” he added.
Douglas gave his word that the Ministry of Trade will intensify its efforts during the upcoming financial year to assist vessel owners and operators to make the necessary improvement to their vessels, “an initiative that will ensure that the quality of produce being exported is maintained…”
But where is Johnson Drigo? What is Blackmore Ministry na?
Acting Prime Minister, Rayburn ” Sunglasses” Blackmoore,- the traditional backward political practices that the country has grown used to in, are no longer relevant.Blackmoore I am making my made that statement while addressing your address posted here on DNO.According to you, the Neo failed DLP cartel of infiltrate DFP-ites and some low hanging DLP fruit if not low hanging maybe on the ground beneath the tree( and rotting away like our grape fruit and oranges etc) The 14 year old Neo-DLP ,DFP extract is no longer relevant and cannot be exisit in 2016, Like the regimes of the 70’s ej Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Gairy and Burnham to name just a handfull “It means therefore, they are exstint hence like extract of vanilla essence they ought to be replaced in the nature island with the real thing. Pure vanilla. Like you said Mr. Blackmoore the quality requirement therefore cannot be an option.“There is no substitute for quality; it is therefore an imperative,” talking about QUALITY !
Cont’d Rayban Sunglasses was a thing of the 80’s when Miamai Vice was a TV big deal So is Rayburn Blackmoore if he ever was anything in the 80’s lol! Now he is minister see our crosses hahahahhahaha this is not a joke this is serious.
Back to Quality Mr..Rayburn are U serious? u take the joke really too far. U ,Skrit and a few more just don’t cut it as per the meaning of QUALITY in any shape or form. The citizenary of Dominica is committed to provide the necessary support to ensure change, through pressure beginning Thursday July 28th 2016 joining with the opposition even if itself is wanting. Through using any means necessary like you guys did infiltrating the authentic DLP we too not but joining forces before restructuring and fortifying the total ,national opposition can oust you useless beings from office and export everyone of you to jail indefinitely monopoly style Don’t be tried don’t have access to your ill-gotten gains. Get it?
Minister Blackmoore is right in saying that the traditional practices that the country has grown used to in marketing agricultural produce, are no longer relevant.
But to repeat my comment to the previous news item on this topic:
Bulk packaging of fresh farm produce is one thing but more important is the development of a point-of-sale end product.
The very term “pack house” speaks of a mindset that is fifty years out of date. What we should be doing is processing, preserving and innovatively packaging for the local, regional and international markets. By these means we can prevent crop wastage, extend shelf-life and increase profits
I agree… the final package is what the consumer sees, that where the real profitable price point is met and its also a great form of marketing!! Taking control of the entire process will benefit everyone in the short term and in the long run… they will certainly be a learning curve but if people are interested in mastering what they end to end there is no limit!
Very good point regarding a point-of-sale product, I hope it is heeded otherwise the produce will leave these shores at a low base price because they are not processed (e.g. washed, graded, peeled, prepared, preserved & packaged). This is how they hit the shelves abroad for maximum price and we need to do more of it to reap the best economic return from tha profit margin. In doing so it would create further employment locally. However, I express caution with regards to the island being solely able to meet the supply demands of a large organisation hence it might be frugal to enter such a proposal with contingency plans in place.
The Caribbean as a region should bave the resolve to organise this amongst its member states. For example, a product such as canned grapefruit would fit the bill as it is I remember it in abundance on the island and can grow anywhere in the region. I say the Caribbean should be making more of an effort to be fully self relaint and branded in this area.
Blackmoore needs a HARD SLAP.
lol! am laughing my A out and loud.
I would enjoy blackmore busting a cap in your ass too…you must be think blackmore is some kinda walk over…you go ahead and try…blackmore is jean mahaut