 Both the Agricultural Information Management Systems Study and the implementation of its recommendations were financed under the EU Special Framework of Assistance (SFA) 1999 and 2001. The AIMS Study identified deficiencies in the areas of: information technology (IT) infrastructure; training and human resource development in IT and information management (IM); and decision support systems. These issues were addressed by: upgrading of the IT infrastructure through the establishment of a modern hard wired copper network throughout the Ministry; staff training in IT and IM; website development; and customized software development. Oversight and guidance of the Project was provided by an eight (8) member project steering committee appointed by the Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry consisting of representatives from: Division of Forestry; Division of Agriculture; Fisheries Division; Computer Center; Establishment and Training Department; and the EU Agricultural Diversification Program.
As a result to the successful implementation of the AIMS the Ministry is now equipped with a modernised computer network providing a wide range of centralized network services. The website  which you are currently viewing was also developed under the AIMS and represents the Ministry's commitment to adopting the policies and strategies of the ongoing e-government initiatives aimed at enhancing the information management capacity of the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. In an effort to build IT and IM capacities within the the Ministry a series of training sessions were held during 11th February 2008 to 14th March 2008 covering topics such as computer architecture, database management, Internet use and Office Software. To address the ine fficiencies in provision of market intelligence a customized software solution was developed to allow the Ministry to log ongoing crop and livestock production data for forecasting purposes. This system keeps an up-to-date register of the status of agricultural production which allows the Ministry to respond swiftly to emerging markets and investment opportunities. Both local and international (EU) businesses also benefited from the implementation of the AIMS through the award of Supplies and Services Contracts for provision of various IT related supplies and services. |
