by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced the establishment of an Agriculture Investment Unit geared at enhancing the output of the sector.
Hon. Matthew Walter,
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and
Forestry
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Hon. Matthew Walter, explained the core duties of the Unit as he briefed the media at a news conference on Monday. The Unit which will be located at the Ministry of Agriculture, Government Headquarters main responsibilities are:
- To develop strategies to address the investment needs of the agricultural sector commencing with those identified in the investment portfolio of the Ministry.
- To promote feasible investment opportunities to stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
- To receive and review investment proposals from stakeholders and recommend feasible proposals for funding.
- To train farmers and agricultural operators in the business operations of their enterprises to foster greater success of their operations.
The unit is staffed with a Head of Unit, Dr. John Toussaint, a programme officer for agriculture and agri-business and an executive assistant.
 
Vegetable farm
and passionfruit production
The agricultural sector contributed to fourteen percent (14%) of the island’s gross domestic product in 2007. Dominica’s agriculture minister is confident that the agricultural sector continues to make a significant contribution to food security in Dominica. |
