An Organic Farming workshop hosted by the Salisbury Enhancement Committee Inc. (SEC)on Thursday 29^th April, was hailed an immense success. The session, attended by over 13 farmers from the community of Salisbury, was financed by grant funding received from the European Union (EU) and

the Government of Dominica funded SFA Framework for Agri-Business Development and Enterprise (FADE) Project.Mr. Vernon Daniel facilitated the three hour session which covered areas such as organic pest control and the maintenance of soil fertility. He explained the importance of reducing the quantity of commercial chemical substances which are being employed on our Dominican farms, and displayed several natural alternatives for pest control and increasing soil fertility. He stressed further the need for farmers to educate themselves on the effects that these chemicals may have in the long term, both on the quality of the land, and the quality and safety of the crops produced.

Mr. Al-Mario Casimir, the Organic Officer from the Ministry of Agriculture was also in attendance. In a short impromptu presentation, he echoed the sentiments of Mr. Daniel, highlighting the situation in the neighbouring French islands, whose use of banned chemical substances have since rendered their soil contaminated, and unable to maintain productivity. He also expressed concern about the reputation being created among west coast farmers regarding the possible excessive use of weedicides, pesticides and fertilizers. He explained that heightened efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture to educate farmers on organic options is evidence of the ministry’s commitment to seeing healthy and quality farm produce become the norm island wide. Mr. Casimir went on to commend the SEC for their initiative in this regard.

At the end of the night’s session, the farmers present committed themselves to the formation of an organic farming group, which would in the short term seek to reduce their dependence on chemical substances. The S.E.C offered to support efforts to seek further training opportunities for all the farmers involved.

On Wednesday 19^th May, the S.E.C will host a second session on Farm Finance Management, commencing at 5:00pm at the Salisbury Primary School. Registration for this session will close on Monday 17^th May.