Dominica to receive EC $54 million from the EU for banana support

This so called Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM), aim “to address the underlying weaknesses in the industry relating to low productivity and commercial competitiveness.”

According to the EU, the funds will go towards implementation of quality standards, upgrading the country’s physical infrastructure and developing the agricultural information systems.

More specifically, the BAM funds will be used to improve agro-processing techniques, establish a land bank, conduct an agricultural census, create market linkages, improve genetic material, upgrade access roads and on-farm irrigation, and provide insurance initiatives to mitigate against natural disasters.

Announcement of the available funding was made by Head of the EU Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Ambassador Mikael Barfod who said: "The Banana Accompanying Measures is part of EU support to assist banana exporters in Dominica and the other Windward Islands following erosion of the preferential conditions they once enjoyed. The package takes into account each country's specific situation as it focuses on economic diversification, while also addressing broader social, economic and environmental issues."

At the time, Barfod was addressing Europe Day activities in Dominica, which also included visits to the West Coast Water project, and the official opening of the Waitukubuli National Trail , both of which are EU funded projects.

Dominica’s once vaunted banana industry was virtually destroyed by the withdrawal of preferential treatment for the country’s bananas in the mid-1990’s, when the EU introducecd a new trading regime. At the height of the industry in the late 1980’s more than 12 000 farmers were engaged contributing to rates of growth of between 3 - 6 percent annually.