The Ministry of Agriculture has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening food security in Dominica and supporting the farmers who supply the island's markets, as the country joins the global observance of World Food Day 2026.
The ministry said its work continues through programmes aimed at encouraging sustainable farming methods and boosting local production, including the Green Thumb Seedlings initiative, which provides planting material to farmers and householders.
World Food Day is observed each year on 16 October, marking the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In Dominica, the occasion places attention on the role of agriculture in national life — from the provision grounds and backyard gardens that feed families to the commercial farms that supply Roseau and Portsmouth markets, hotels and supermarkets.
The ministry's message this year centres on the importance of reducing reliance on imported food and increasing the volume and variety of crops grown locally. Officials have consistently linked food security to the island's wider economic resilience, noting that agriculture remains a key employer and a source of foreign exchange alongside tourism and other sectors.
Sustainable farming methods featured in the ministry's statement include the use of improved seedlings, soil conservation and practices that protect the island's watersheds and river systems. Dominica's volcanic soils and abundant rainfall give it strong natural advantages for crop production, though farmers also face the annual threat of hurricanes and the longer-term challenges of pests, disease and market access.
The Green Thumb Seedlings programme is one of several interventions intended to put affordable planting material into the hands of growers. By distributing seedlings, the ministry aims to shorten the time between planting and harvest and to encourage farmers to diversify beyond traditional crops.
Food security has become a recurring theme across the Caribbean, where regional leaders and institutions have called for reduced food import bills and greater investment in local production. Dominica's participation in World Food Day 2026 places it alongside other CARICOM member states in highlighting the issue.
The ministry's statement also acknowledged the contribution of farmers, fishers and vendors whose daily work sustains the local food system. Agriculture officials have repeatedly stressed that supporting these producers is central to keeping fresh, affordable food available to households across the island.
For residents, the observance serves as a reminder of the value of buying local produce and of the role backyard cultivation can play in household nutrition. The ministry has encouraged Dominicans to take part in food production at whatever scale they can, whether through commercial farming or small home gardens.
The ministry said it remains committed to working with farmers and partner agencies to advance food security, sustainable agriculture and local production in the months ahead.
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