In Dominica’s southeastern agricultural corridor, more than two dozen small-scale banana and plantain producers have walked away with actionable, hands-on skills to upgrade their operations after completing a targeted training initiative focused on elevating farm safety and standardized working practices.
Hosted at the La Plaine Agricultural Training Centre, the program centered on two high-priority areas for local producers: safer management of agricultural agrochemicals and the correct, efficient operation of mist-blower machinery. Rather than relying solely on classroom-style lectures, organizers structured the session to blend expert technical guidance with live, on-site demonstrations. This hybrid approach let participating farmers practice new techniques directly, ask questions in real time, and cement their understanding of critical safety protocols that many had not received formal training on prior to the event.
Organizers say the initiative responds to a ongoing shift in Dominica’s agricultural sector, where producers are increasingly looking to update legacy working methods to boost output, reduce workplace risks, and keep their operations competitive. The high level of engaged participation throughout the session underscores the local farming community’s strong eagerness to upskill, boost long-term productivity, and secure their place in the island’s key banana and plantain industry.
To complement the training and extend its impact beyond the workshop, every participating farmer received a set of new tools and essential farm supplies to support their day-to-day cultivation work. This combined package of training and material support forms part of a sustained outreach effort led by two government agricultural bodies: the Banana and Plantain Unit and the extension staff of Dominica’s Division of Agriculture. For months, these teams have worked directly with producers across the island, delivering ongoing technical guidance, skills-building opportunities, and critical resources all with the core goal of helping local growers maintain consistent output and raise the overall quality of their banana and plantain crops.