The Hon Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Johnson Drigo Spent last Friday January 8th on productive agriculture and fisheries sites.
Last August, the Hon Minister revealed that the Japanese Government had committed to providing US $1.4 million in fisheries equipment and machinery to Government.
That project was aimed to upgrade and replace existing equipments at fisheries complexes around the island.
A new flaked ice machine was part of the plan for the Marigot Fisheries Complex. That machine is able to hold about two tonnes of ice for fish preservation.
On Friday, Minister Drigo, accompanied by agriculture officials visited the facility.
His synopsis is that investments in fisheries in Marigot are worthwhile.
“I must say, I’m quite satisfied with the use of the facility and its supervision. I’m also impressed with the statistics coming out of the Marigot Fisheries Cooperative. It is my understanding that in 2014, the Marigot Fisheries Cooperative exported fish valued at $170,000.”
Minister Drigo also revealed data on the industry’s performance in Marigot for the past year.
“The complex landed 237,217 pounds of fish and this is tremendous for the area. This is yet another example of the success of the sector. That is why we continue to say that in Dominica is self sufficient in fish up to 98%.”
He adds that Government welcomes and is willing to support young people who wish to get involved in the industry.
The support of the Government of Japan through its international development agency, JICA, in the fisheries sector is well appreciated by Government.
“Let me, on behalf of the Government and people of Dominica, thank the Japanese Government for yet another good gesture, a profound donation for the Marigot Fisheries Complex and the fishers of the area.”
The Hon Minister stopped next in Calibishie where a large quantity of the first batch of tissue culture plantlets has been settled.
Distribution of the first batch of 20,000 plantlets began in July 2015.
These plants were procured through the banana accompanying measures programme and are being grown specifically for export to European Union countries.
In Calibishie alone, 1.5 acres of Cavendish bananas are being produced.
The Hon. Minister visited several farms on Friday to see the progress of the plants.
“I must say that I am very satisfied with the effort of the farmers. When we took a decision to revitalize the banana sector following the devastation of Black Sigatoka disease, there were many sceptics but we told the farmers that Government would support them through it all. I want to thank the Black Sigatoka Management Unit, the Ministry of Agriculture team and the farmers for their hard work because we are actually seeing the results of their efforts.”
Extension officer for the area, Arthur Massicot, was also a part of that team on Friday January 8th.
He shared his thoughts with GIS News. Those remarks included a recipe for best production.
“I am very encouraged to work with the tissue culture farmers; I get full cooperation from these farmers. I work with them and they are like my brothers and sisters. The relationship is very good. I have always said that in order for an extension officer to succeed in his district, you must have a relationship; that’s very important.”
He added that extension officers must honour their appointments and be reliable.
“I am very encourage by the Ministry as well because it has been supplying the inputs for development.”
Lynel Fevrier is Project Officer with the Banana Pilot Project.
HE said, “We are very satisfied with the growth. Presently, we are in the process of distributing the second batch of plants. I can say that so far the project has been successful on terms of meeting its objectives. It is demonstrating to the farmers that they can produce bananas using the proper techniques and agronomic practises.”
He says continued management of the Black Sigatoka virus will contribute to the bright future which he sees for Dominica.
By the end of the tour, the Hon Agriculture Minister confidently reported that agriculture in Dominica is a success story based on the obvious remarkable results evidenced island wide.