Former DAAS President disappointed that Government failed to revitalize Banana Production & Export

Dominicans in the Diaspora are beginning to express major concern regarding Dominica’s Agricultural Industry, and the lack of exports of bananas from the country’s shores.
 
Former DAAS President Dr Clayton Shillingford says there are neighboring islands which were devastated by the spread of Black Sigatoka, and they are currently revitalizing their banana exports, because they hired the proper expertise to do so.
 
Black sigatoka is a leaf-spot disease of banana plants caused by the ascomycete fungus.
 
Dr. Shillingford added that Dominica’s government failed to approach the issue scientifically, compared to the Governments of other islands, and as a result, have not been able to advance recovery of the crop. 

​Meanwhile, Shillingford says his investments into Dominica’s Banana industry post the Black Sigotoka outbreak, was wasted by the personnel of Dominica’s Agricultural ministry.
 
Dr Shillingford told Q95 that in recent times, he brought plantlets which possessed a high level of resistance against Black Sigatoka. He says although government officials attempted to develop the plantlets and disburse them to some of Dominica’s Farmers, the proper procedure to ensure a successful yield was not followed.