The initiative was endorsed by the Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Manuel Otero, during a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Caribbean country.

Roseau, Dominica. 23 August 2018 (IICA). The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) will be the primary partner of the Government of Dominica in the construction of a Resilience Center, which will disseminate, at the global level, experiences and technologies related to climate-smart agriculture.

Otero discussed the initiative in Dominica following a request made by the government of the Caribbean country, where he was welcomed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries of the country, Reginald Austrie, and by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francine Baron.

“This petition recognizes IICA’s presence and work in Dominica, and involves the implementation of a very innovative project. This country has now overcome the most urgent stages of the reconstruction process following the devastation caused by the last hurricane season. The country wants to demonstrate its capacity to lay the groundwork for a Resilience Center and share good practices, experiences, and technologies related to climate-smart agriculture and other matters with the world,” stated Otero.

Further details on the project’s implementation will be discussed during the upcoming Caribbean Week of Agriculture, which take place from October 8 to 12 in Barbados.

“The idea is to create a center that transmits knowledge from Dominica and that is highly relevant to Eastern Caribbean countries. Climate change is here to stay. We now face the prospects of a new agriculture, and we must generate the tools required to face this issue,” added the Director General of IICA.

During Otero’s visit, the Government of Dominica recognized IICA’s contribution to the organization of farmers, as well as its support for the coconut chain and honey producers following the damage caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria almost one year ago.

The havoc wreaked by recent extreme natural phenomena is still being felt in Dominica, which sustained damage to its infrastructure, economy, and by extension, to its agricultural activity. However, the country is quickly recovering from these events, and its rural sector is exhibiting a new dynamism.

The Director General of IICA also visited Grenada as part of his tour of the Eastern Caribbean region. Upon completing his work agenda in Dominica, he will travel to Saint Lucia, where he will meet with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country, among other authorities.