Dominica has set an ambitious goal of transforming its agriculture sector into a $700 million contributor to national GDP by the year 2030. The government says this vision will be driven by a strategy focused on five priority crops: citrus, cocoa, coffee, coconut, and cassava. This strategy will be supported by modern practices, youth involvement, and targeted investment.
According to official statements, the five-crop framework is expected to strengthen food security, expand exports, and create more resilient livelihoods for farming families across the island. Authorities argue that achieving this level of output will require not just scaling production but also improving value-added processing, quality standards, and marketing systems.
A central pillar of the strategy is the active engagement of youth and women in agriculture. The government has acknowledged that the long-term sustainability of the sector hinges on encouraging new generations to view farming as a viable, modern, and profitable career path. Programs under development include expanded training, grant facilities, and access to technology for young entrepreneurs and women-led agricultural enterprises.
The initiative also ties directly into Dominica’s broader climate resilience and food sovereignty agenda. By investing in tree crops such as cocoa and coffee alongside traditional staples like cassava, the Ministry of Agriculture expects to stabilise farmer incomes, diversify exports, and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
Officials maintain that while the $700 million target is bold, it is achievable if public and private sector partners work in concert. Key priorities include strengthening farm-to-market infrastructure, building out processing plants, increasing access to affordable finance, and expanding regional and international trade linkages.
The Ministry insists that this renewed focus will reposition agriculture as a cornerstone of Dominica’s economy. If the target is met, the sector could contribute significantly to job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and the nation’s long-term sustainable development goals.
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