by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
The Government of Dominica, in collaboration with the United Nations Environmental Programme began a two-day national consultation on Thursday, 18th February, 2010 at the Fort Young Hotel. The objective of the consultation is to develop a ten year investment programme designed to transform Dominica into an environmentally sound organic island.
 Participants at workshop
Officials will use this meeting to seek input from key stakeholders to guide the formulation of an investment programme which will be presented later in 2010 to an international donor and business partners meeting to be convened in collaboration with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
One of the participants at the two-day workshop, Vanessa Prevost of Dominica Organic Agricultural Movement, believes that the event is a timely one.
“The organic movement in Dominica has waited a long time for an event of this magnitude to take place. Although so many wheels have turned so quickly over the past few days that our heads are spinning, we realise the golden opportunity that lies before us as an organisation and as a nation as a whole to change and direct Dominica towards a future that is right for us.”
 Vanessa Prevost
Miss Prevost believes that there are major benefits to be derived from the move towards organic agriculture.
“From agriculture – taking advantage of the market opportunities of the organic niche sector and the creation of an organic input industry for both nutrient and pest control inputs and food security; to health in all aspects: healthy eating, healthy lifestyles, healthy long living population and the reduction of pressure on the medical establishments and the subsequent cost savings. To education, a retooling and educating of all the productive sectors in organics including agriculture, health and tourism personnel can put Dominica in a unique position of being world leaders in the organic education sector.”
The Hon. Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Natural Resources, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, in his address at the official opening ceremony, noted the importance of hosting the two-day event.
“We believe that an organic Dominica can play a key part in Government’s programme to promote new economic growth and reduce poverty through substantial new capital inflow. The private sector will play a key role as an engine of growth as indicated by Prime Minister Skerrit in the 2009 budget address. He recognises that Dominica’s binding constraints, its insufficiency of direct domestic and foreign investment necessary for the creation of economic growth and job opportunities. This administration recognises that an organic Dominica can make a significant contribution to our vision for our country. Essentially, a place where all persons are profitable engaged, have a decent standard of living and can contribute to the less fortunate among us.”
 Hon. Minister for Environment,
Fisheries and Natural Resources,
Dr. Kenneth Darroux
Hon. Darroux is convinced that the organic approach will help Government in its efforts to develop the island’s economy and reduce poverty.
“Organic Dominica will therefore provide a comparative advantage for a stable and dynamic economy which will create more and secure jobs and increased incomes resulting in reducing migration. It will serve as a platform to diversify our economy. It will attract private sector investment to finance and operate a processing plant that produces organic juices and preserves for domestic use and export. Considering our island’s reputation for longevity resulting in an impressive number of centenarians in our population, organic Dominica can attract investment in an ever growing health and wellness tourism market.”
Hon. Darroux, however, believes that there is much to be done within the ten year period to ensure that the goal of Dominica becoming an organic island becomes a reality.
“Our local entrepreneurs like our fishers and farmers have to be educated to meet the challenge of this new economic development initiative with the goal of an improved share of the global organic business. We need to develop efficient transportation links to the major organic markets to ensure that Dominica’s organic products arrive on time and are fresh on the customers’ shelf. We need to invest the necessary resources to develop a unique organic Dominica brand which will allow us to achieve recognition for gaining further market share. We need to improve the regulatory and trade regimes and support services to facilitate the export of high value organic products. Finally, we need to change production patterns and improve inland transportation, pollution and waste management, certification standards and quality control if an organic Dominica is to become a reality.”
The workshop ends on Friday, February 19, 2010. |
