The Hon Parliamentary Representative for the La Plaine Constituency, Petter Saint Jean is making moves to make the handling and sale of produce in his constituency safer and up to standard.
This sterile facility erected in consultation with the Dominica Bureau of standards will serve as a market centre for fresh meat and produce for the entire south-east.
With funding from the Basic Needs Trust Fund, the centre features a small office, an area for the sale of fresh meat and livestock, washrooms, wash areas and even a ramp to allow for vehicles to be easily loaded and unloaded.
“This project was conceptualised by the South-east Association of Village Councils. At the time, they identified the need to set up a market square where farmers and producers from the village could dispense of their produce.”
According to contractor, Kertney Matthew, only electricity and water remain to be installed.
Meanwhile, the new South-east Market only awaits commissioning which is expected to take place by the end of the year.
Right next to this new facility stands an old one for which plans are in place- an old DEXIA packing shed, decommissioned since 1979.
Hon. Petter Saint Jean says a $20,000 plan will see this structure remodelled and repurposed.
“We are now in discussions with DEXIA and we have identified $20,000 for the upgrade of the building,” Hon. Saint Jean said.
The packing shed will be leased to a well-known and productive huckster from the area who will be meeting some of the refurbishment costs.
“We are preparing the lease in such a way that while the gentleman would be the main user of the facility, there is a clause that makes provision for other individuals who wish to use the facility.”
The goal is that upgraded facility as well as the new South-east Market will up the standard of agriculture retail and handling in the south-east.
“This will enhance the mode of handling, packaging and delivery. There has always been the concern that when farmers sell to the public, they need to meet the standards so this building has been designed...to meet international standards.”
Summarily, Hon. Saint Jean, as a farmer himself since the 80s has long looked forward to a time like this when the La Plaine community and constituency would be positioned for the optimum success of the agriculture industry.