LATIN AMERICA – Dominica and Venezuela sign MoU for the development and expansion of coffee industry in Dominica

ROSEAU – The Government of Dominica has expanded its cooperation with the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Venezuela for the rehabilitation and expansion of coffee acreages in the Commonwealth of Dominica and operationalization of the Coffee Plant at One Mile in Portsmouth donated by the Venezuelan Government.

Speaking at the signing ceremony last week, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, Hon. Matthew Walter, stated the responsibilities to be executed by both countries as outlined in the MoU.

The Dominica Government has made available 50,000 sq. ft (1.5 acres) at One Mile in Portsmouth where the coffee processing plant has already been installed. Dominica will also be responsible to provide a slab of approximately 20,000 sq. ft to install the structure as well as perimeter fencing, transportation, electricity, water and other basic utilities during construction and make land available to the company for demonstration and training of coffee producers.
For its part Venezuela will provide the designs and plans, and execute the construction of the shed. Venezuela will also supply, install and commence operations of the Coffee Processing Plant. Venezuela will be responsible to provide training to personnel operating the machinery and the producers of coffee as well as provide assistance for the rehabilitation and establishment of coffee fields in Dominica.

In his remarks, Hon. Walter reiterated the intention of the Government to diversify agriculture in Dominica. The Minister added that Dominica has the terrain, rainfall and soil type to produce a top quality brand name coffee.

Mr. Walter acknowledged that in the 1980s and 90s farmers cut down their coffee trees and went into bananas due to the relatively high prices the fruit attracted in Europe.

In light of the changes that have taken place in the banana industry over the years, Hon. Walter issued a call to farmers to seize the opportunities currently available by going back into coffee production in a significant way.

“Farmers, the opportunities are enormous and the market is available. You have the potential to produce large volumes of coffee. New technologies in coffee production have changed the old concept of tall tree coffee. The methods of harvesting coffee have changed. No more do you have to climb a tall ladder. It is our responsibility to revive the local coffee industry and I am calling on all concerned to embrace the opportunity and plant more coffee,” Hon. Walter concluded. (Source: Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica)