5.1 Institutional structure
5.2 Project proposals
5.3 Marketing
5.4 Land use policies
5.5 Agroforestry research
5.6 Organic farming
A new Agroforestry Unit within the Ministry of Agriculture is necessary to coordinate efforts in this field. The unit could be
# integrated in the Forestry Division or
# integrated in the Division of Agriculture
# a separate Division under the Chief Technical Advisor or
# under the joint supervision of the Divisions of Agriculture and Forestry.
It will have close relationships with the Divisions of Agriculture, Livestock and Forestry, especially the nursery, agricultural diversification projects, the tree crops and cocoa projects and the MOA and DBMC extension services. Integrating the Agroforestry Unit into the Forestry Division can minimize efforts, but count with some inconveniences:
# it will depend on the Division of Agriculture's willingness to cooperate
# it might approach agroforestry from the forestry point of view and less from the agricultural aspect and pay less attention to farmer's needs and preferences
These problems can be overcome by
# intensive training of responsible officers in agroforestry
# selection of foresters as well as agriculture officers for the Agroforestry Unit
# coordination of joint efforts by the Chief Technical Officer
Agroforestry projects should be implemented basically by the existing agricultural extension services to avoid duplication of efforts and to favour coordination between the different projects. Agricultural diversification will aim primarily at banana farmers, presently assisted by the Dominica Banana Marketing Board. The integration of new crops and conservation measures in existing banana plantations should be promoted by this institution which ought to play an active role in the diversification of Dominica's agriculture. The agroforestry development project in Salisbury should serve as a model for this process.
Farmers should deal with one extension worker instead of several different extension systems. Efforts of the different projects have to be coordinated before reaching the farmers. An important task of the Agroforestry Unit will be exactly the coordination of these efforts to design economically and ecologically sound farming systems. The development of these farming systems should generate from the experiences of demonstration and trial plots in various areas and the close cooperation of field assistants with the farmers.
The alternative to this structure is the creation of the Agroforestry Unit as a joint venture of the Divisions of Agriculture and Forestry under the special attention of the Chief Technical Advisor:
This structure would
# improve the implementation of programmes by the agricultural Extension Service# favour the cooperation between the 2 Divisions
# guarantee a better incorporation of agroforestry in the overall policies of national development (diversification, conservation, land use policies etc.)
# favour the integration of the Livestock Division in agroforestry projects, as livestock has a good potential within agroforestry systems, especially
Disadvantages are
# multiple reporting of the Agroforestry Unit to different superior officers
# increased administrative efforts
# divergent opinions of the involved divisions regarding promoted tree species, pesticide use, land use etc.
However, these divergencies will exist in any case. Regarding the Agroforestry Unit rather as a coordinating unit than as a new unit with new projects added to the large number of existing projects, this second alternative might be more effective to reach the different objectives of agroforestry as outlined in 3.2. However, considering the objectives of the Tropical Forestry Action Programme, the weight of conservation in Dominica's future development and the administrative simplification, an Agroforestry Unit within the Forestry Division will find wide acceptance.
Traditionally, Dominicans have planted trees for fruits, nuts, timber, shade, windbreaks, ornaments etc. Recently the practice of planting trees has been slowly disappearing, as a result of a practice of intensive agriculture, especially banana cultivation, geared towards producing for export markets. As a result of laminar soil erosion the soil fertility has been so greatly diminished that large sums of money have to be spent for fertilizers and the agricultural production in the future is endangered. Bananas are damaged as a result of lack of windbreaks. Springs of high importance for the population are reported to dry as a result of converting watersheds into agricultural land and streams are contaminated by the spraying of pesticides close to the embankments. Roads suffer from landslides and timber as well as firewood for the distillation of bay oil and for burning charcoal is becoming scarce in various areas so that persons complain about the further distances they have to travel in order to collect wood.
In order to promote agroforestry in Dominica, two projects should be funded which will generate solutions to the problems mentioned above and involve three areas of the TFAP, Forestry in Land Use, Firewood and Institutions:
(i) an Agroforestry Development Project in 4 priority regions where already first efforts of agroforestry extension had been realized, but more intensive assistance and support is necessary. Approximately 1000 farmers will be reached by this project which includes demonstration and trial plots and a systematic approach to develop the ecological, economic and cultural potential of agroforestry in Dominica.The Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture has in 1987-69 realized agroforestry extension and trial plots (funded by the OAS) in an effort to increase the productive potential of the resources while maintaining a balance with the environment. Priority regions for intervention were Bagatelle and Petite Savanne, where the population accepted the need for new agroforestry techniques to solve social and economical problems. Certain consciousness and expectations were created in the population, but could not be fulfilled, as the project financing discontinued.
However, initial steps at establishing agroforestry programmes were restricted by lack of necessary funds to provide training for extension staff and farmers, transportation and material necessary for its implementation. In the Carib territory, the Dominica Conservation Association (DCA) started an agroforestry project, but needs support for its successful implementation, as resources are very limited.
Target areas were chosen according to the pressure to find solution to existing problems:
# on the East coast (Carib territory and other regions) running rivers which provided pipe born water to villages have dried up due to deforestation and inadequate agricultural practices# in Bagatelle and Petite Savanne the production of Bay Oil decreased by 13 % from 1989 to 1990 due to shortage of firewood for the distillation process. Bay trees were cut to obtain fuel.
# in steep hills around Salisbury pure stand banana cultivation on recently cleared land produced severe soil erosion and decreasing banana yields. In this region the agroforestry project will be integrated into a regional watershed management project (see report on Land Use/Watershed Management).
# in Castle Bruce Estate existing agroforestry systems were destroyed giving way to banana monoculture, expanding to the hills which surround the estate.
The project aims at introducing improved agroforestry techniques in the target areas and support the marketing of tree crop products, considering the difficulties to market products other than bananas the main reason for banana monoculture, even on unadequate soils. Specifically, activities in these areas shall
- increase availability of firewood- increase bay oil production
- control soil erosion
- increase soil fertility
- protect watersheds and springs
- diversify production for marketing and home consumption
- promote techniques of organic farming and reduce utilization of inputs by organic manure and legumes
- improve the marketing of non-banana products
- increase farmer's income
- maintain cultural identity
- conserve the biodiversity of utilized plants
In the beginning, special attention will be given to the building-up of an Agroforestry Unit within the Ministry of Agriculture and training of agricultural and forestry personnel in this relatively new field. In a later phase this staff will expand and develop agroforestry techniques to other areas.
(ii) a Multipurpose Tree Planting Project, comprising all of Dominica extensively, but concentrating on land endangered by erosion, road and river sides. This project will focus on education measures and distribution of seedlings as well as some field assistance for lining before planting. It will be directed primarily at banana farmers and cooperate with diversification projects, considering tree plantation on individual land. Only some plantations, especially on road sides, will be on public land and cooperate with communal efforts.
This project corresponds to the recommendations in the Land Use/Watershed Management report regarding the protection of riverbanks and road sides and has to be integrated with government regulations regarding the restriction of land use in critical areas (see 5.4). Farmers are aware of the existing problems and many show interest in projects of soil conservation and environmental protection. Planting will be realized by farmers, the project will be responsible for promotion, organizing, transport and assistance.
In order to give impetus to this project, it is necessary to involve the extension workers of the Dominica Banana Marketing Board and the Ministry of Agriculture, who are in close contact with farmers and whose recommendations are essential for the practices of land use. Training shall be given to these officials in order to integrate tree planting for conservation objectives into the existing extension structure. Trees used will be of economic value in the form of fruits, nuts, spices, timber, firewood or nitrogen fixation, so that farmers will respond positively to this project. Existing diversification projects shall be integrated by the Agroforestry Unit in the efforts of soil and environmental protection.
(These projects are described in detail in appendix 7 and 6, including budgets and terms of reference of the project personnel)
The projects will be implemented in cooperation with the Dominica Banana Marketing Board, the MOA extension service and the Dominica Conservation Association (existing Agroforestry Project in the Carib Reserve).
Efforts should be concentrated on the promotion and marketing of
# passionfruit, guava and other tropical fruits (West Indian cherry etc.) for the processing industry# a large variety of fruits, root crops and vegetables for the regional market
# avocados, mangoes, breadfruit, flowers and essential oils for the overseas market
# products of organic agriculture, especially bananas, citrus, mangoes and avocados
Different national and regional agencies (DEXIA, CATCO, CEDP, ECSEDA, OECS Agricultural Coordination Diversification Unit) are already providing assistance to exporters. There seems to be a multiplication of efforts. It might be more effective to coordinate these efforts.
One major constraint is the availability of regular ship transport. This problem has to be treated as a regional issue in order to gather certain volumes. OECS or CARICOM organizations should contract a shipowner for regular transport to Europe and/or U.S. Although such contract would require subsidies in the beginning, guaranteed transport will encourage production and the shipping can be profitable after few years. The alternative to establish a contract with Geest Lines for the regular transport of containers could not be realized so far.
The improvement of marketing structures is essential to the diversification of Dominica's agriculture and to the successful enhancement of agroforestry. While export structures are supported by various institutions, the systems of collection and transportation within the countries have to be improved in order to give farmers an incentive to market their products and to reduce the high costs of individual marketing. It can be expected that farmers will rather trust marketing organisations proved efficient than recently created institutions for new commodities. Regarding the existing infrastructure of warehouses and transport of the Dominica Banana Marketing Board, this structure should be used for the marketing of other commodities, especially citrus, mangoes, avocados and passionfruit for the export market and the processing industries. This proposal was repeatedly made in the last years. A political decision is required to implement this system. In the beginning, a test phase could be initiated with one type of fruit only.
Farmer's associations directed towards marketing should receive technical and financial assistance in the form of credits, training courses etc. This approach is included in the Agroforestry Development Project. It should be opened to farmers engaged in organic farming. DEXIA is already involved in the promotion of organic farming, but more information on the international level and a better organisation of organic farmers on the national level is required.
Education activities might help to convince farmers, but will not always prove sufficient to protect the resources soil and water from rapid degradation. So far, restrictions of land use in Dominica are limited to public land, although some legal provisions exist for the use of private lands, without being enforced. Considering the importance of soil and water for the nation's economy and welfare, the use of private land should be restricted in the following cases:
# watersheds should not be cleared or if already cleared their cultivation with tree crops should be obligatory# banks of streams and rivers should be protected and maintained with natural or cultivated forests, to protect from siltation and leaching of pesticides and fertilizers into the water
# the use of any pesticide should be prohibited in areas which are used as watercatchment for drinking water
# legal provisions are necessary to restrict the agricultural practices on steep slopes to avoid soil erosion and the irretrievable loss of top soil which might endanger agricultural production in the future. Such restrictions will be accepted as long as they are combined with adequate assistance and incentives.
The restriction of land use should be combined with a larger settlement programme. Presently many of the larger estates are underutilized and the crops are not harvested due to the lack of hired labour. These estates occupy mostly flat agricultural lands while farmers are penetrating into steep hillsides. To favour more intensive production systems and to overcome the labour shortage government should promote construction of houses on the land acquired by farmers. The large distances between farms and houses cause major losses of time, limit the hours worked on the farm and confine farm work to the male family members.
(see also report on Land Use/Watershed Management)
Research in agroforestry should be coordinated regionally by CARDI (Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute), but implemented in close cooperation with the Ministries of Agriculture, in this case the Agroforestry Unit. In Dominica research needs comprise:
# economic analyses of existing and new agroforestry systems (farming systems research), particularly* coconut + bananas + dasheen
* firewood + fruit trees
* firewood + bay trees
* transformation of banana plantations in cocoa + fruit tree (shadow trees) plantations# the selection of high quality varieties of West Indian Cherry, breadfruit, sour sop and natural fruit-bearing species (mammee apple, star apple etc.)
# testing of different herbaceous legumes as ground cover in hill regions, especially in banana cultivation, including their effects on erosion, nematode population, weed growth, management requirements and substitution of nitrogen fertilizers. Legumes worth testing include mucuna pruriens, macroptilium atropurpureum, calopogonium mucunoides, vigna parkeri, vigna hosei, pueraria phaseoloides and pueraria thumbergiana. The pueraria species also have a high potential in the recovery of eroded slopes, but they might be too aggressive in high rainfall areas.
# potential of hedgerows of West Indian cherry (malphigia punicifolia) in erosion control
# non-chemical pest and disease control in multiple-story-cropping
Existing efforts to promote organic farming in Dominica should be enhanced by
# training of extension staff# support of marketing facilities, especially refrigerated containers for ship transport
# financial support for the acquisition of literature and organisation of national seminars about organic farming.
# organizing farmers and motivated persons to form an association for organic farming which should be responsible to establish and control agricultural practices and to issue certifications
# some efforts should be made to replace weedicides by mechanical methods as brushcutters
# incentives presently given as inputs should be replaced by incentives given in the form of marketing. Free marketing services can improve the economic situation of farmers and favour efforts towards diversification. The actual practice of free inputs favours certain crops, monoculture and the irrational use of pesticides and fertilizers
