Dominica’s White Potato Cooperative Urges Early Preparations for Planting Season

The White Potato Cooperative in Dominica has sounded the clarion call for its members and all interested parties to brace for the forthcoming planting season. The objective? To bolster the supply of white potatoes on the Caribbean island. The call to action was made by the cooperative’s president, Mrs. Ruth Augustine Guye, who addressed the hurdles encountered by farmers in the preceding season, including delayed planting and losses attributable to machinery deficits and unfavorable weather conditions.

A Plea for Early Preparedness

Despite the setbacks of the past season, Guye urged farmers to commence preparations early to sidestep similar issues in the upcoming season. She emphasized that the ideal planting period for the white potato spans from December to January. The cooperative is leaving no stone unturned to support the farmers, joining forces with the Ministry of Agriculture and other key stakeholders like Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA). The goal is to provide more machinery and assist farmers with the necessary aid.

Aiming High for Economic Growth

This initiative is part of a grand design to ramp up the contribution of the agricultural sector to the island’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) substantially by 2030. The cooperative’s efforts dovetail with a wider government scheme to boost agricultural output and trim the island’s hefty food import bill.

Public Input: Diversify Crop Production

Responses from the public to this initiative have underscored the need to diversify crop production to include garlic and onions. The recurring theme in these suggestions is the importance of self-sufficiency and the need to reduce dependency on imported goods. As the island prepares for the planting season, it’s clear that the success of this venture would mean a significant stride towards achieving these economic and agricultural goals.