Situation
The island of Dominica is characterized by the mountainous topography, high rainfall (up to 10,000 mm) and the existence of rainforest on more than 50 % of the island's surface (1984: 45,000 ha approximately of a total land area of 79,000 ha)
Dominica's economy is heavily dependent on agriculture which contributes 30 % to GDP and more than 60 % to total exports (primarily bananas). More than 50 % of the working force are engaged in agriculture and the industry processes primarily agricultural raw products (coconuts, fruit for juices, jellies etc.).
Bananas are exported with success to U.K. but the arrival of the European Common Market in 1993 might cause lower prices, and the diversification of exports will be necessary. Marketing structures for products other than bananas are deficient and shipping to overseas market is unreliable.
50 % of approximately 25,000 acres of agricultural land are cultivated with bananas. Banana cultivation expanded to unsuitable steep land in the last years, causing
# soil erosion,
# pollution of rivers by agrochemicals and
# destruction of watersheds and primary forests.
Privately owned primary forests were cut for banana cultivation, while laws regulating the use of private land are almost inexistent (see report on Legislation). Especially these problems caused the government to ask for agroforestry projects in the TFAP process, directed towards banana growers.
In the Southeast large quantities of firewood are consumed for the distillation of bay oil. In the absence of reforestation, a shortage of firewood developed in that region.
Potential of agroforestry
Most farmers in Dominica intercrop tree crops with annual crops to some extent, but these systems received little support in the last decades and their acreage was reduced, while monoculture of bananas expanded. Improvement of traditional agroforestry will include improved fruit varieties, contour hedges, the combination of pass ion fruit with living support trees etc.
The objectives of agroforestry under the given situation are particularly
# conservation of soils and watersheds,
# firewood production for baywood distillation,
# diversification and intensification of agricultural production, especially in small farms,
# reduction of input requirements and
# the conservation of Dominica for tourists attracted by its natural beauty and diversity.
Actually, several constraints limit the future development of agroforestry in Dominica:
# labour shortage
# low prices and limited markets for most agricultural products
# limited production of seedlings
# the dual extension system: Banana growers receive assistance by the Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation, while the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for all other crops. This specialization hinders the development of integrated farming systems.
A successful approach to the promotion of agroforestry has to consider solutions of these constraints.
Good market perspectives exist for bay oil, cocoa, oranges, avocados, mangoes and flowers on export markets and for passionfruit and aloes on the national market for processing. According to official politics, banana exports will continue, but with a reduced number of farmers, while it can be expected that many farmers will diversify their production if they receive assistance and support in marketing.
Recommendations regarding project proposals within the TFAP
The mentioned problems and constraints require action in 3 TFAP areas:
# forestry in land use: production of seedlings (see separate project), promotion of tree planting on farms and protection of watersheds (see project proposals below), land use regulations# firewood: plantation of fast growing firewood species in the Southeast (see project proposals below)
# institutions: creation of Agroforestry Unit, training of extension officers, research (see Country Capacity Project and Agroforestry Development Project)
The Ministry of Agriculture should create an Agroforestry Unit as part of the Forestry Division to coordinate efforts of different projects and institutions towards the integration of trees in sustainable farming systems. Capable personnel is already working in different public institutions and could be transferred to that Unit. For the implementation of projects, close cooperation with the existing extension services of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation will be required.
In order to promote agroforestry in Dominica, two projects should be funded which will generate solutions to the problems mentioned above:
(1) Agroforestry Development Project, regarding the long-term development of agroforestry in 4 priority regions including the training of personnel, elaboration of educational material, demonstration and trial plots.(2) Multipurpose Tree Planting Project, a nationwide project supporting the introduction of trees as windbreaks, shelterbelts and soil conservation measures especially in banana plantations.
Banana plantations should receive windbreak and soil conservation measures on hillside, composed of legume scrubs (for mulching) and Vetiver grass. Gradual transformation into tree cropping systems seems profitable, especially with cocoa.
Agroforestry research should be organized regionally within UWI or CARD I, including economics of agroforestry systems, herbaceous legume groundcovers, non-chemical plant protection and the potential of the West Indian cherry.
Recommendations regarding framework conditions
Marketing of products other than banana and of organic products should receive public support. The DBMC might widen its marketing activities to other products. Regular shipping service to overseas markets should be organized by CARICOM or OECS. The marketing of products of organic agriculture should receive public support, regarding its future market potential and environmental benefits.
Land use in watersheds, on riversides and steep slopes should be restricted. Compensation could be by the attribution of actually underutilized flat lands existing in big estates. (see report on Land Use/Watershed Management)
The incentive system presently favouring banana production and high input levels should be reformed in order to favour diversification and ecologically sound production systems.
