AgriHub is calling for greater operational responsiveness within Dominica’s agriculture sector following lessons emerging from implementation of the SheHarvest Project, which highlighted delays affecting women seeking to enter agricultural production. 

Supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), SheHarvest is an AgriHub-led initiative designed to support women through practical agricultural interventions, including land preparation assistance, business planning support, and climate-smart production systems.

Built around the principle of “turning agriculture into a business”, the project aims to help women move beyond subsistence activity toward more structured and market-oriented agricultural participation.

While the project demonstrated strong interest from women seeking to enter the sector, implementation also exposed operational delays that continue to affect productivity, planning, and momentum at ground level.

“There is clear ambition for agriculture in Dominica,” said Abigail Shillingford, Executive Director of AgriHub. “The question is whether operational systems on the ground in Dominica are moving at the same pace as that ambition. If we want more women and young people participating in agriculture, then the systems supporting them must become more responsive, practical, and execution-focused.”

According to AgriHub, the project experienced delays of over 12 weeks before land preparation support could move from planning into implementation. The organisation noted that these delays directly affect planting timelines, farmer confidence, production consistency, and income generation opportunities.

Ms Shillingford stated that much of Agriub’s role during implementation involved actively navigating bottlenecks on behalf of participating women farmers to prevent discouragement and disengagement from the sector.

“As an organisation, we have had to consistently coordinate, follow up, and push processes forward so that participants remain motivated and able to continue,” she stressed. “Without that level of intervention, many women could easily become discouraged before production even begins.”

Through CFLI support, the project was able to reduce some operational barriers affecting production readiness for farmers, including facilitating access to mechanised land preparation services through the use of a tiller. .

Counsellor at the High Commission of Canada in Bridgetown, Stephanie Sprott, echoed the importance of the SheHarvest project.

“We are pleased to support AgriHub’s work to help women farmers enter the agricultural system, as well as succeeding within it and sustaining their enterprises. They have gained access to practical tools and equipment, business and financial management training, hands-on demonstrations, and stronger linkages with financial and agricultural stakeholders. 

“Canada is proud to support regional partners in strengthening food security, building resilience in local food systems, and expanding sustainable economic opportunities for farmers.”

AgriHub stated that strengthening agriculture requires more than long-term vision and policy discussion. According to the organisation, greater attention must also be placed on timely implementation, operational coordination, and practical systems that support farmers at ground level.

The SheHarvest Project forms part of AgriHub’s wider effort to support women in agriculture through practical production support, climate-smart agriculture practices, business planning, and stronger market-oriented participation.