Market Day with a Difference 2007 - Dr.Colin McIntyre
David Vital
Market Development Officer: Communications – manages DEXIA’s public relations, corporate communications and produces its newsletter and radio programme. Has been Officer In Charge of the Market Support Services Department for the past 13 months. . (View all articles by David Vital)
Speaking notes for Senator Honourable Dr. Colin McIntyre
It appears that I am inextricably tied to the farming community since both my immediate past ministerial assignment as Minister for Agriculture and present portfolio as Minister for Trade dispose me to looking after the business of the farmer. My own personal and professional experiences have also been firmly rooted in agriculture. I therefore understand the struggles, challenges and needs of the farming community.
This Year’s independence theme “Building Country, Celebrating Heritage’ is very relevant to our experience as a nation at this particular point in time. It is also very appropriate to the
observance of Market Day With A Difference – a time when we focus our attention
on the contributions of the farming and market communities to the national
development effort.
The imperative to build is issued against the backdrop of recent devastations inflicted on our agriculture, infrastructure and housing stock by Hurricane Dean.
Agriculture sustained the heaviest losses. 90% of crops were destroyed, a fact evidenced by the short-supply of certain commodities and the virtual absence of others here today. The resulting income loss imposed significant hardships on farmers, vendors and the rural economy. Whatever gains we made in agriculture and other sectors of the economy over the last few years were halted and in some cases reversed by the storms.
It is my understanding that, to a large extent, the final impetus for the celebration of Market Day With A Difference this year came from you the farmers and vendors. You demonstrated that despite the obvious food shortages and your own personal hardships, we should still celebrate Market Day With A Difference. By this you are in fact declaring to all Dominicans loud and clear that “we may be troubled on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” Indeed, there can be no greater testament to the resilience, strength and pride of our people than what you have clearly demonstrated here today and over the last two months. It is for this reason I feel that Market Day With A Difference this year should be celebrated as a fitting tribute to the resilience of our farmers. It is in that kind of spirit then I extend to you personally and on behalf of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Consumer and Diaspora Affairs best wishes on your observance of Market Day With A Difference. You are indeed playing your part in building this country and in so doing leaving us a heritage worthy of celebration.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to make a contribution to the sector during my tenure as Minister of Agriculture. We started work on the development of a National Policy on Agriculture. When completed, it will guide and inform the development of Dominica’s agriculture-an agriculture that is viable and competitive and one which will yield for our farmers decent and sustainable livelihoods. I am confident that the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Honourable Mathew Walter will see the work to completion.
It appears that I am inextricably tied to the farming community since both my immediate past ministerial assignment as Minister for Agriculture and present portfolio as Minister for Trade dispose me to looking after the business of the farmer. My own personal and professional experiences have also been firmly rooted in agriculture. I therefore understand the struggles, challenges and needs of the farming community.
This Year’s independence theme “Building Country, Celebrating Heritage’ is very relevant to our experience as a nation at this particular point in time. It is also very appropriate to the
observance of Market Day With A Difference – a time when we focus our attention
on the contributions of the farming and market communities to the national
development effort.
The imperative to build is issued against the backdrop of recent devastations inflicted on our agriculture, infrastructure and housing stock by Hurricane Dean.
Agriculture sustained the heaviest losses. 90% of crops were destroyed, a fact evidenced by the short-supply of certain commodities and the virtual absence of others here today. The resulting income loss imposed significant hardships on farmers, vendors and the rural economy. Whatever gains we made in agriculture and other sectors of the economy over the last few years were halted and in some cases reversed by the storms.
It is my understanding that, to a large extent, the final impetus for the celebration of Market Day With A Difference this year came from you the farmers and vendors. You demonstrated that despite the obvious food shortages and your own personal hardships, we should still celebrate Market Day With A Difference. By this you are in fact declaring to all Dominicans loud and clear that “we may be troubled on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” Indeed, there can be no greater testament to the resilience, strength and pride of our people than what you have clearly demonstrated here today and over the last two months. It is for this reason I feel that Market Day With A Difference this year should be celebrated as a fitting tribute to the resilience of our farmers. It is in that kind of spirit then I extend to you personally and on behalf of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Consumer and Diaspora Affairs best wishes on your observance of Market Day With A Difference. You are indeed playing your part in building this country and in so doing leaving us a heritage worthy of celebration.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to make a contribution to the sector during my tenure as Minister of Agriculture. We started work on the development of a National Policy on Agriculture. When completed, it will guide and inform the development of Dominica’s agriculture-an agriculture that is viable and competitive and one which will yield for our farmers decent and sustainable livelihoods. I am confident that the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Honourable Mathew Walter will see the work to completion.
