The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy have received one thousand, two hundred tissue culture plantlets to undertake establishment and trials for Tropical Race 4 (TR4) Resistant Banana Plants.
Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is the name of the fungal strain that causes Fusarium Wilt also known as Panama Disease.
Due to the capacity of TR4 to survive indefinitely in the soil, along with its lethal impact on Cavendish cultivars and wide host range, TR4 is ranked as the one of the greatest threats to banana production.
Under the Support to Pest Exclusion in the Caribbean- Efforts to exclude TR4 in the Caribbean Project Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA/ APHIS) and technical assistance from IICA, Dominica has received the plants and supporting materials to undertake open field trials and evaluate compatibility and resistance in the final phase of the project.
Head of Plant Protection and Quarantine Service, Nelson Laville provided details about the status of the project.
“Under this project there were three main activities, one which is to assist ten islands/ ten countries to developing a national action plan for TR4, the other one was to conduct a simulation exercise in a high risk country that was done in Trinidad and Tobago, and the last part of this project was to support countries to receiving resistant germ-plasm to TR4. And this is the final phase and this is what we just received,” Mr. Laville stated.
Mr. Laville described the purpose of the project in Dominica. He says this will mitigate the impact of TR4 if the fungal train comes to our shores.
“The purpose for having this planting material at this agricultural station is to enable the staff of the ministry of agriculture, to do evaluations on those planting material, basically to see how they comport themselves within our ecosystems, how they adapt to our agronomic practices etcetera. Because these plants are still under patent because of intellectual properties they are still patented. And so right now we are still in the evaluation stage in our country by the time if at all TR4 gets into Dominica, we will have some germplasm already evaluated and can understand and made available to farmers so we don’t fall way back when that disease comes into Dominica and with the possible potential of devastating our banana sector,” he explained.
The Tropical Race 4 (TR4) Resistant Banana plants received are now being hardened and weaned at the Portsmouth Agricultural Station and will be distributed to commercial farmers and various agricultural stations.
Roseau, Dominica- December 22, 2023: The Government of Dominica has approved a reduction in the prices of petroleum products after a review of prices for the regulatory cycle November 27-December 15.
Effective December 27, 2023, the new retail price for gasoline is $13.91 per gallon, a reduction of $0.34 or 2.4%. The price of diesel has been reduced to $13.41 per gallon by $0.89 or 6.2% and kerosene to $11.32 per gallon, a reduction of $1.41 or 11%.
The decrease in commodity prices is based on an increase in US crude production which has resulted in a surge in inventory available on the market.
The Government of Dominica will continue to implement measures to mitigate inflation and cushion the impact of adverse market forces on consumers.
In the height of the season of giving, on December 20, 2023, the Presidents Charities Foundation Inc. presented cheque donations to thirteen charitable organizations to support them in their roles of caring for the most vulnerable citizens of Dominica.
The thirteen beneficiaries to receive cheque donations include; Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities, St. Jerome’s Ministry, Dominica Council on Ageing, R.E.A.C.H, Our Lady Of Fair Haven Conference of St. Vincent De Paul Society, The National Society of St. Vincent De Paul Ltd., The Social Centre, Operation Youth Quake, Mahaut Senior Citizens Home, Community Hostels Inc., and Abilities Unlimited, Dominica Infirmary and Alpha Centre.
President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton (D.A.H), is thankful for the continuation of the annual cheque donation presentation ceremony.
“At today’s ceremony the President’s Charities Foundation will be presenting cheque donations totaling the sum of $36, 000 to thirteen of sixteen beneficiaries. Three beneficiaries namely the House of Hope, The Northern Home for the Aged Grange, and The Care for the Poor, were presented with their cheque donations during my Christmas visits which took place earlier this month. The overall sum of $44, 000 will be distributed this year,” President Burton stated.
She expressed her gratitude to the sponsors who made it possible for the foundation to meet its charitable mandate. The President says a community based approach will be adopted for level next year.
“Thank you and we do look forward to your continued support. The Office of the President and the Presidents Charities Foundation look forward to embarking on some new initiatives in the New Year with community based organizations that are geared at enhancing the lives and livelihoods of our vulnerable and disadvantaged youths. Should you have any ideas that will help us realize positive outcomes from this special project, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of the President
Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, with specific responsibility for Seniors Security, Children at Risk, Gender Affairs and the Differently Abled, Hon. Dr. Cassandra Williams offered her thanks to the Presidents Charities Foundation.
“Let me on behalf of all these organizations that fall within my purview, thank the President’s Charities Foundation for this significant gesture and for continuing to recognize that while our social services teams have a crucial role in keeping the children and adults in our communities safe, we all have a responsibility to protect our most vulnerable citizens. And while i wish to profusely thank the president’s charities foundation. I would like to use this opportunity to publicly thank, all those who work tirelessly to care for those who are infringed upon. You too are a reflection of who we are at our very core, a caring people,” Dr. Williams stated.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Representation for the Roseau North Constituency, Hon. Miriam Blanchard expressed her thanks for the orchestration of the event. She spoke of the significance of the donations to the well-being of society.
“Their unwavering commitment to uplift the vulnerable and to serve the communities echoes the very essence of unity and compassion. This support signifies not just financial assistance but the resolute belief in the causes that these institutions and organizations champion. Madam President, your generosity and dedication to these initiatives reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive and compassionate society. Through this contributions we are ensuring that vital services, care and support reach those that are in need the most serving as a beacon of hope lighting the way for a brighter future for all,” Hon. Blanchard added.
In addition to the donations to the sixteen charitable organizations, the President’s Charities Foundation were also able to fund the Foundations Children’s Christmas party on December 9, where 273 children were entertained.
The Presidents Charities Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting the less fortunate and was fully incorporated in 2004.
The Government of Dominica and the Dominica Electricity Services (DOMLEC) have signed an agreement with Ormat Technologies Inc., a US company and its subsidiaries for the development of a 10 MW geothermal power plant in Laudat.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 on the margins of COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Under the agreement, Ormat Technologies Inc. will finance the construction of the plant, operate and maintain the power plant and geothermal wells for a period of 25 years. While the Government of Dominica will maintain ownership of the wells, lands and other assets that it has invested in. At the end of the contracted period, the power plant and other assets acquired during the life of the agreement will be transferred to the Government of Dominica.
This development represents a major milestone for Dominica as Government seeks to stabilize and reduce the domestic electricity tariff, decarbonize electricity generation and the responsible use of Dominica’s rich geothermal resources. The electricity generated will be sold to DOMLEC and will help reduce Dominica’s dependence on fossil fuels. The power plant is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2025, with further capacity expansion planned for the near future.
In partnering with Ormat Technologies Inc., Dominica has chosen a leading geothermal company with over 50 years’ experience in the industry and one that possesses an added advantage of manufacturing much of its own equipment. The company currently owns or has installed approximately 3,200 MW of gross capacity globally, and operates the geothermal power plant in the neighbouring island of Guadeloupe.
The Honourable Vince Henderson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy signed on behalf of the Government of Dominica, Ambassador Francine Baron, Director, Board of Directors of DOMLEC, signed on behalf of the power company and Paul Thomsen, Vice President of Business Development, signed on behalf of Ormat Technologies Inc. and its subsidiary company.
The Government of Dominica has approved the granting of concessions on Christmas barrels imported into Dominica for the period December 7, 2023 to December 27, 2023.
Barrels shall be for personal use only and not for commercial use. Eligible items shall be food stuff with limited items of clothing, toiletries and toys.
Barrels valued up to EC$1,500.00, shall be exempt from Import Duty, Environmental Levy and Customs Service Charge and each household in Dominica shall be entitled to a maximum of two (2) barrels. Boxes, drums, crates and cartons of equivalent size to a regular barrel are also eligible.
A flat port charge of Ten Eastern Caribbean Dollars (EC$10.00) will be payable to the Dominica Air and Seaports Authority (DASPA) for charges related to handling and storing of the barrels, and the Value Added Tax (Vat) of 15 percent of the import value will be payable to the Comptroller of Customs.