The Ministry of Agriculture is reporting that Dominica has met its food security goals after concerns were raised following the devastation to the island’s crops from Hurricane Maria.
Ryan Anselm, Technical Officer for Projects and Services in the Ministry of Agriculture says, “These uncertain times COVID-19 has shown that we in Dominica have met our food Security demands in terms of the acreages that we have expand and that we are also exporting. Not only that we are meeting our food security, we are assisting other countries in terms of our export to the Northern Caribbean. And so the general public can rest assured that the Ministry through its program,the Livelihood Enhancement program funded by the World Bank is also lending tremendous support to our farmers where we have distributed millions of dollars in terms of inputs, fertilizers and small equipments all aimed at increasing our production and productivity”.
Anselm outlined some challenges faced in achieving food security goals including a constant labour force, limitations in movement or persons, and farmers doing agronomic practices.
He adds that despite this there have been improvements especially with regards to fisherfolk being able to provide a constant supply of fish, even at reduced prices.
He credits these improvements to investments made over the years inclusive of technical skills, training and research.
According to Anselm, citizens must continue to eat what we grow and grow what we eat, while the Ministry continues to do its part.
“We have to do it together. We are starting in the schools and that’s why we have employed an officer to specifically deal with the school gardens, to help with school education and so part of it is to continue the awareness”.
