Dominica

Country Profile

Dominica

The Commonwealth of Dominica is the most northerly and largest of the Windward Islands, and is known as the nature island of the Caribbean. It covers an area of 751 km2 (290 mi2). It is heavily forested and is renowned for its lakes, waterfalls and over 365 rivers. The highest point is Morne Diablotins, which rises to 1,524 km (5,000 ft) above sea level. The average annual rainfall is 1,981 mm (78 in). The agricultural sector accounts for 18% of the GDP[1] from bananas, citrus, coconuts, cocoa, herbal oils and extracts. Historically, banana production has employed over one-third of the labour force – directly or indirectly. However, the sector has been facing challenges with the loss of the preferential European Union markets for bananas. There has been diversification into other crops such as citrus fruits, vegetables, coffee, patchouli, aloe vera, cut flowers, mangoes, guavas, and papayas. Increasingly the Government is promoting the island as an "ecotourism" destination.

CARDI Dominica Overview

The research and development portfolio of CARDI Dominica is quite varied and it includes work on roots and tubers, fruit crops and hot peppers. The Unit has long history of technology development for root crops such as yam, dasheen and tannia and it has now begun work on sweet potatoes. It also has a long standing relationship with the Dominica Export and Import Agency (DEXIA) with the development and transfer of hot pepper production technologies to support the export trade of the commodity. Similarly, the Unit has partnered with the Nature Island Pineapple Producers Association (NIPPA) for the development and promotion of pineapples on the island. In collaboration with its other partners, CARDI Dominica has initiated activities to develop undercover / protected agriculture systems.

Work Programme for the Medium Term 2008-2010

Commodity development – Crops

Sweet potatoes

  • Characterise sweet potato accessions in Dominica

Hot peppers

  • Assess the pungency of "Bonda Ma Jacque" landrace hot pepper.

Fruits

  • Preliminary investigations on the effect of different rates of N and K applications on pineapple (ratoon crop) yields
  • Identify and validate pineapple varieties for agro-processing
  • Validate CTV resistant root stocks and root stock/scion combinations.

Emerging Issues

Undercover / protected agriculture (greenhouse)

  • Validate and transfer technologies for "undercover systems" (tropical greenhouses)

Country Highlight Reports

For highlights of work by the CARDI office in Dominica, Click here

 

CARDI Representative

Dr Gregory Robin

Contact Information

CARDI Dominica
P.O. Box 346
NDC Building
Valley Road
Bath Estate
Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica
Phone: (767) 448-2715
Fax: (767) 448-5690
Email: cardi@cwdom.dm

Partners and Collaborators

  • Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
    Government Headquarters
    Kennedy Avenue
    Roseau
    Commonwealth of Dominica
    Tel: (767) 446-3759 / 448-2561
  • Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA)
    P.O. Box 173
    Bay Front
    Roseau
    Commonwealth of Dominica
    email: dexia@cwdom.dm
    www.dexiaexport.com/
  • Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) at Dominica
    http://www.iica.int/Eng/regiones/caribe/dominica/
  • Nature Island Pineapple Producers Association (NIPPA)
    PO Box 1307
    Roseau
    Commonwealth of Dominica
    Tel: (767) 440-2919
  • Techni-Con Diagnostic Services
    P.O. Box 2138
    Roseau
    Commonwealth of Dominica
    faganh@cwdom.dm
  • Dominica Bureau of Standards
    9 Great Marlborough Street
    P.O. Box 1015
    Roseau
    Commonwealth of Dominica
    Email: info@dominicastandards.org
    www.dominicastandards.org

[1] UNECLAC 2007. Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2006-2007, (LC/CAR/L.138)