Dominica will spend EC$1.5 million on crop insurance and another EC$1.5 million to expand apiculture and develop a national honey brand.
Dominica: The Government of Dominica has shared that it is making significant efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector in the country, announcing plans to procure crop insurance and to expand the apiculture industry across Dominica, with both measures valued at EC$1.5 million. These measures will significantly change the trajectory of the agricultural sector in the country, making it more resilient and better equipped to withstand climate-related risks.
The groundbreaking announcements were made by Dr. Irving McIntyre, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security, during his presentation of the 2026/2027 National Budget in Parliament earlier last week.
Speaking in Parliament, Minister Irving McIntyre stated that the crop insurance will protect farmers and their livelihoods from the financial impacts caused by climatic events. He announced that the crop insurance worth EC$1.5 million will be procured this year.
This year, Government will take an additional step by procuring crop insurance, valued at EC$1.5 million. This insurance facility will provide liquidity for Government to assist farmers in the event of a climatic disaster, announced Minister Irving McIntyre.
McIntyre went on to explain that the insurance will “help protect farmers and their families from climate risks” and will “be fully financed by Government at no cost to the farmers.”
Alongside measures to manage climate risks, the Minister of Finance also shared that the Government will continue to invest in the development of the apiculture industry, with plans to provide an additional EC$1.5 million for its expansion. He noted that the industry has been performing strongly so far and the additional funding will support the development of a Dominican honey brand.
We have provided 600 beehives, equipment and protective gear to beekeepers across the island. These have resulted in the doubling of the national hive stock and strengthening of honey production and processing capacity. Building on this success, an additional $1.5 million will be allocated to expand the industry through the establishment of hundreds of new hives and the development of a nationally recognised Dominican honey brand,” stated the Minister.
The Finance Minister noted that other major investments have been made, including the new Abattoir for poultry and pork, feeder roads, the National Feed Mill, etc. He shared that the investments are the Government’s strategy for transforming the agricultural sector through value addition, market expansion and generating greater returns for the farmers and agro-processors.