According to Grant, “Part of the Ministry’s plan is to go out and meet with the farmers across the districts and to interact with them.” He voiced that while farming in Dominica has been doing well, the ministry has noted the challenges of the farmers. “We noted that there were challenges of labour and of course with Covid-19 the increase in the price of feed, fertilizer and other agro-chemicals. This is of concern to the government and of course the Ministry,” he expressed.
Moreover, he notes that the government has been working tirelessly with the relevant authorities such as customs, the Ministry of Finance and importers, to find ways to curb the increase of agro chemicals.
Nonetheless, Grant believes that farmers have a part to play in keeping the industry alive. “Farmers need to become more organized and they need to create themselves into co-operatives, associations or groups, whatever it is that would bring them together so that they have one common voice and one link to the markets,” he advised. If farmers seek to be unified in their approach, there will be shared expertise across the board and it will provide them with a greater source of support. What is more, it will allow farmers to manage their farms as businesses, a key factor in increasing production capacity.
With that said, Grant announced that the Ministry will continue to visit farmers in the field throughout 2022. This will aid the authorities in hearing and understanding the concerns of all farmers across Dominica. Furthermore, he encouraged consumers to eat local and buy local.
Markedly, David Timothy, a young farmer of Morne Prosper expressed that farming has been something he has been interested in from time immemorial. “To see the Minister of Agriculture here, in this new year 2022 amidst the reality of Covid and all the other setbacks, it brings me great joy. I am hoping to work with him and to rally some of my other farmer colleagues,” he articulated.
Likewise, female farmers Decima Popo and Pearl Langford expressed that they were appreciative of the visit by the Minister. “I hope as you visit today you will give us some advice in our shortcomings that you noticed and the areas where we need to improve,” Popo stated.
Remarkably, Grant assured the farmers that the visits to the farms will be habitual. He re-echoed the need to create co-operatives instead of an individual approach to maximize on food production within the industry. Pointedly, Grant believes that if the farmers play their part and the authorities play their part, the agricultural industry in Dominica will continue to blossom, without a doubt.
