Credit: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Blue and Green Economy 

A Giraudel farmer has harvested more than 250 pounds of seasoning pepper under a government-supported initiative aimed at boosting local production and strengthening Dominica’s agricultural sector. 

The Ministry of Agriculture implemented a Mini Seasoning Pepper Programme earlier this year to increase domestic production and help address potential shortages faced by agro-processors during the annual Independence season. The initiative also supports the Dominica Export and Import Agency (DEXIA) in supplying its fresh produce markets. 

Participating farmers were provided with 432 seasoning pepper seedlings each, along with fertilizers to assist with crop development during the early stages of production. 

The programme initially targeted the establishment of one acre of seasoning peppers among 10 farmers. However, following adjustments 
to the programme, the target was revised to half an acre involving five farmers. 

The Ministry said the early results demonstrate the potential impact of targeted agricultural assistance, with South Region farmer Clint Pemberton of Giraudel becoming the first participant to establish his plants and record a harvest exceeding 250 pounds of seasoning pepper.

Opposition Senator Lorraine Henderson-Reid says Dominica’s economic reality is being shaped by competing priorities between agriculture and tourism, while the country also remains dependent on the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program. 

Speaking during the 2026–2027 Budget Debate in Parliament, Senator Henderson-Reid called on the government to take greater account of the economic conditions currently confronting Dominican citizens.

Henderson-Reid has welcomed the government’s announcement of a crop insurance programme for farmers, describing it as a positive step toward strengthening support for the agricultural sector. 

She stressed that all farmers should have equal access to the programme, regardless of their political affiliations. Henderson-Reid 
made reference to the recent distribution of fertilizers, calling for greater fairness and inclusivity in the delivery of agricultural assistance.

President of the National Co-operative Credit Union, NCCU, Clement Marcellin, has said the NCCU is committed to education during the financial institution’s scholarship presentation ceremony on Tuesday. 

Nineteen scholarships were awarded to students who will begin secondary school in September. They were awarded in the names of Credit Union pioneers, who have given and continue to give exceptional service to the Credit Union movement. 

Marcellin said the NCCU scholarship package provides a comprehensive package designed to ease the financial burden on families.

President of the National Co-operative Credit Union, NCCU, Clement Marcellin 

Meanwhile, former St. Martin Primary School student Grace Destiny St. Ville will attend the Convent High School in September and thanked the NCCU for selecting her for one of the nineteen scholarships.

The Dominica Football Association (DFA) announced the appointment of Kurt Herd as Head Coach of the Dominica Senior Men’s National Team. 

Herd is a UEFA A Licence holder and Scottish FA Coach Educator and has served as Interim Head Coach of the Senior Men’s National Team since January 2026. According to the DFA, during that period, he worked to strengthen the team’s tactical structure, preparation and high-performance standards. 

He has an extensive background in football development, with coaching and technical experience across Scotland, Spain, Malaysia, Australia, Kyrgyzstan and Dominica. 

His previous roles include Technical Director at Villarreal CF Malaysia, as well as coaching positions with Dundee United FC, Livingston FC and several other clubs and football programs. 

The association said it looks forward to Herd continuing the work undertaken with the Senior Men’s National Team as the programme prepares for upcoming international competitions.

Social scientist Simeon Joseph expressed strong concern that local youth, entrepreneurs, farmers, fishermen, business owners, and creative artists are deprived of critical opportunities to realize their full potential due to the policies of the current administration. 

Joseph pointed directly to the latest national budget presentation, questioning what tangible benefits it actually offers to the people of Dominica. He argued that the distribution of funds across various government ministries lacks clear foresight, questioning where the overall vision for national development lies under the present governing strategy. 

Expanding on the broader consequences facing the nation, Joseph referenced insights shared by former ambassador Crispin Gregoire regarding international educational access. He highlighted the alarming development that, for the first time in three decades, no Dominican students were able to secure access to universities in the United States for the upcoming academic year. 

Concluding his remarks, Joseph described this sudden barrier to higher education as a frightening reality that further underscores the broader stagnation facing the country's workforce and upcoming generation.

The Caribbean Development Bank and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean announced a milestone $1 million contribution from the CDB to CAF’s Fund for the Recovery and Reconstruction of Venezuela. 

The funding allocation, which was approved by the CDB’s Board of Directors, aims to support relief and rehabilitation initiatives following the severe earthquakes of June 24, 2026, which caused widespread loss of life, displacement, and heavy infrastructure damage. 

CAF established the specialized fund shortly after the disaster to mobilize international assistance, providing a transparent and coordinated mechanism for global development partners to fund priority emergency response, service restoration, and long-term rebuilding efforts identified by the Venezuelan government. 

Highlighting the spirit of regional unity, CDB President Daniel M. Best stated that the bank felt compelled to act swiftly for Venezuela, noting its role as a longstanding member institution that has consistently supported Caribbean nations. 

Best commended the Board of Directors for approving the grant and emphasized that collaborating with CAF demonstrates how multilateral entities can innovate to deliver effective humanitarian aid beyond traditional financing frameworks. 

CAF Executive President Sergio Díaz-Granados welcomed the historic contribution, assuring that every dollar will translate into direct relief while hoping the gesture inspires further international support.

Nineteen students were awarded scholarships from the National Co-operative Credit Union, NCCU, this morning, August 11, 2026. 

The following students were awarded scholarships: Grace Destiny St. Ville (Josephine Dublin Merit Scholarship), Jewel Ayanna Samuel (Dexter Ducreay Merit Scholarship), Caleb Ron George (Shand Jolly Merit Scholarship), Zion St. Hilaire (Kenneth Richards Scholarship), the Hudson Savarin Scholarships went to Marlon Marley Francis and Zaila Yannika Joseph, Hordane Joseph (Ambrose Cuffy Memorial Scholarship), Samara Samai Charles (Johnson Joseph George Thomas Scholarship), Casity Demeara Devine Casimir (Derrick Lestrade Scholarship), Ajahni Jefferson Trevon Cockrane (Marie Wilkins Scholarship), Lorenzo Rhael Hector (Rodney Lewis Scholarship), Ellianna Kieanna Blanford (Myrtle Hilton Scholarship), Sharian Etienne (Vernice Bellony Scholarship), and Akiva Serena Elizee (Haynes Baptiste Scholarship). 

The Edward Elwin Scholarships were awarded to Shanaya Elisha Lewis, Kylan Aguero Kenrick Price Francis, Rivaldo Justin Charles, and Christiano Julio Leonardo St Fleur. Chief Executive Officer of the NCCU, Curth Charles, told recipients that they are beginning a new chapter in their lives as they enter secondary school.

​Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says a government has a responsibility to remain responsive to the needs of its citizens while ensuring that it acts responsibly in managing the country’s affairs. 

Skerrit said the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) administration has demonstrated a high level of generosity to citizens through various social assistance programs.

Skerrit further highlighted the government’s support for small business development, noting that significant financial resources have been made available to entrepreneurs across Dominica. 

According to the Prime Minister, since the establishment of the Small Business Unit, the government has provided close to $100 million in funding to assist small businesses and support their growth and development.

Three Volleyball Officials from Dominica are currently in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, to officiate the upcoming Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Senior Men and Women’s Championships taking place August 12–16.Don Gordon, Richard Wilson and Lisa James will also conclude the National Referees Course while there. 

The training in the VI is part two of the three-phase training program bringing together officials from across the region. The program has been designed to raise the standard of officiating in volleyball. The Online Sessions took place from July 21 to August 6; classroom instruction began on August 10 and concluded today, Tuesday, August 11, at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town, Tortola. 

The Practical and On-court training will be held from August 12 to 16, during the ECVA Senior Men and Women Championships. The Dominica Amateur Volleyball Association said this opportunity will allow the referees to put their training into practice while gaining valuable experience on the regional stage. 

Other officials taking part in the training are from St. Kitts and Nevis, Sint Maarten, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Eustatius, The Virgin Islands, Bermuda and Anguilla.

​Businessman Gregor Nassief contends that his criticism of the current state of the island’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program is not an attack but a plea for it to be fixed and preserved.
 
Nassief, whose property Secret Bay was expanded under the CBI Programme, said he does not believe the CBI Programme should be attacked because of its importance to Dominica. 
 
Nassief held a press conference on Thursday together with attorney-at-law Noelize Knight-Didier.

​Businessman Gregor Nassief