News

Farmers across the country are being encouraged to register with Government’s Horticultural Programme to receive the benefits under the programme.

The Government funded support programme was instated to assist farmers to increase and improve production within the horticultural sector and to meet market demands.

Agriculture Minister, Hon. Matthew Walter visited a few farms this past Wednesday to assess the impact of government’s support to the farmers registered with the horticultural programme.

“The horticultural programme responds only to persons who are registered under the programme.  If you want to benefit under the programme you have to register and in addition to getting yourself registered you have to meet the criteria of the programme.  There are specific criteria with respect to the production of dasheen, passion-fruit, pineapples, yams and so forth and you have to meet those criteria.  If you are unable to meet the criteria, the division of agriculture can be quite accommodating with respect to your capacity and your deficiencies and based on your objectives.  They will be a bit considerate and bring you into the programme but you have to try your utmost best to be able to meet the targets set by the division of agriculture.”

He says, prior to this programme there was a lack of productivity and market demands were not being made and Dominica’s agricultural industry was being short changed.

Under the horticulture programme, farmers are actively involved in the production of dasheen, passion fruit, yam, tannia, sweet potatoes and pineapples.  In addition, farmers are given assistance in the area of inputs, such as fertilizer and also planting materials.

One farmer, who has been involved in the production of passion-fruit on four acres of land in Macoucherie, says the passion-fruit business is a lucrative one.

Another farmer suggested that being registered enables him to be a respected professional in his field.

So far, eight hundred and fifty farmers have benefitted under the Horticultural Programme.