Morne Jaune
Morne Jaune is a rural community located in the Saint David Parish on the east coast of Dominica. Nestled in mountainous terrain and surrounded by fertile valleys and rivers, it forms part of the Morne Jaune/Rivière Cyrique Constituency and is traditionally associated with farming, community-based culture, and strong local governance. It lies inland from the Atlantic Ocean, close to Rivière Cyrique, Grand Fond, and La Plaine to the south.
Morne Jaune’s Community and Cultural Life
Morne Jaune is known for its vibrant sense of community, often hosting religious events and cultural reunions that draw diaspora members back home. The Morne Jaune Catholic Church remains the central religious and cultural institution in the village, serving as the gathering point for mass, community meetings, and festive observances such as feast days.
The community maintains strong ties with residents who have migrated abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom, United States, and French West Indies, with family reunions and support networks playing a key role in sustaining village identity. Traditional storytelling, drumming, and community work days remain part of Morne Jaune’s cultural rhythm.
Agriculture and Rural Livelihood
Farming is the economic backbone of Morne Jaune, with residents cultivating bananas, plantains, dasheen, tannia, yams, citrus fruits, and other tropical crops. Several families manage smallholdings, which are linked to the larger food supply chain via feeder roads that connect Morne Jaune to Grand Fond and La Plaine.
Over the years, agricultural diversification programmes run by the Ministry of Agriculture have supported farmers in adopting climate-resilient practices, including soil conservation, composting, and the introduction of high-value crops. Extension officers have provided training sessions under national initiatives aimed at improving food security and reducing import dependence.
Education and Youth Development
The Morne Jaune Primary School serves as the central educational institution in the area, enrolling children from both Morne Jaune and neighbouring Rivière Cyrique. As a small rural school, it plays a critical role in childhood development and community cohesion, often hosting national competitions, summer camps, and literacy programmes.
Youth in the area also benefit from government-led initiatives such as the Youth Skills Training Programme (YSTP), coordinated by the Youth Development Division. These programmes provide vocational training in carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, and hospitality, skills in demand within Dominica’s construction and tourism sectors.
Governance and Development Initiatives
Local governance in Morne Jaune is administered by the Morne Jaune/Rivière Cyrique Village Council, which oversees infrastructural needs, land use planning, drainage works, and disaster preparedness. The council regularly collaborates with the Ministry of Public Works and the Office of Disaster Management to improve road access and maintain water supply systems.
Residents have participated in the Local Government Enhancement Programme, which aims to strengthen village councils, improve transparency, and boost civic engagement. Community members also engage in environmental protection through local reforestation and clean-up drives supported by national agencies and NGOs.
Political Representation and Constituency Context
Morne Jaune falls within the Morne Jaune/Rivière Cyrique Constituency, represented in the House of Assembly. The constituency has historically seen high electoral participation and engagement in national discussions on rural development, agriculture, and education. The area’s representation is often active in Parliament debates on budget allocations, feeder road rehabilitation, and climate resilience in farming.