Project Number: SGP Grant Project ? DMA/SGP/OP5/Y2/CORE/CC/13/04

Project Title: Reducing Poverty and Improving Food Security and Nutrition Among Dominica?s Rural Population through Sustainable Agriculture focused On Aquaculture and Aquaponics

The Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS) is seeking a grant from the GEF SGP (Small Grants Programme) to enable the OID fish farm at Picard, Portsmouth to attain a higher level of productivity, to enable project viability and profitability and extension to cooperative arrangements with aquaculture farms on the island. We are also seeking funding from other sources to aid in financing our longer term objectives including establishment of OID as a model aquaculture fish farm in Dominica.

DAAS in the recent past has focused its attention on improving the livelihoods of a selected number of farmers who have suffered as a result of the decline of the banana industry. Under the proposed project, DAAS with the assistance of its partners aims to: (i) further develop the acquired tilapia fish farm at Picard; (ii) train farmers in aquaculture and assist them in developing self sustaining fish farms; (iii) assist the selected farmers in developing vegetable farms; (iv) secure local and regional markets for the fish and vegetable products; and (v) promote aquaculture and aquaponics within the schools? curriculum.

Through this project DAAS will concentrate on improving the livelihoods of local farmers by partnering with them to diversify into fish farming and help reduce the incidence of poverty while improving nutrition and increasing food security. Successful execution of this project will help to fulfill the GEF SGP (Small Grants Programme) country objectives, which aims at promoting sustainable agriculture by conserving the environment while ensuring productive employment. A successful project will be determined by the number of farmers who are able to diversify into fish and vegetable farming using the operations at the Oceanographic Institute of Dominica (OID) as a model in terms of practices, operation and profitable venture.

A key attribute of this project is its sustainability over a long period of time. To begin with, the fish farmers will be able to sell their products to the DAAS owned OID facility allowing them to continue financing the inputs after the GEF SGP funding ends. In addition, with the marketing aspect in place, the vegetable farmers will have access to a ready market for the sale of their products.

Successful implementation of the project will require funding to the tune of EC $410, 000 over the course of two years. DAAS will contribute EC$275,000 in cash and kind directly to the farm and is requesting EC$135,000 (US$50,000) from the GEF Small Grants Programme. In addition farmers involved in the project are expected to contribute an amount of approximately 50,000.00. Also technical support from Government?s Ministry of Agriculture is expected as in the past particularly from the Fisheries Division. OID stands on 1.96 acres which is leased from the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica for the purpose of aquaculture and is in effect until 2024.



1.6 PLAN TO ENSURE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
AT EVERY STEP IN THE PROJECT, THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING THE FARMERS WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE
PROCESS. THE ENTIRE PROJECT HAS BEEN PLANNED AND DESIGNED TO INCLUDE THE FARMING COMMUNITY WHO STAND TO GAIN FROM INVOLVEMENT IN DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE. THE PROJECT IS PREMISED ON GIVING FARMERS THE NECESSARY INPUTS TO GO INTO FISH AND VEGETABLE FARMING.

At the outset, farmers will be requested to sign up and partner with DAAS to be involved with the project. Once their suitability is determined, they will then receive the required technical assistance as conceived. The farmers are expected to contribute towards the setting up of their farms thus increasing their stake in the project.

Because the project is designed to secure markets for the fish and vegetable farmers, this will increase the possibility of its sustainability. The project has the potential to go far beyond the initial number of farms targeted.

Another way that the project will guarantee sustainability is by having it as part of the agricultural curriculum of the Dominica State College. With the training and interest generated through the school, the young people can continue to engage in aquaculture and aquaponics as a way of livelihood

1.9 SUSTAINABILITY
The DAAS acquisition of the OID fish farm in Picard, Portsmouth was the first step in ensuring sustainability of the project. By increasing the range of aqua products beyond Tilapia while reducing operational costs through the use of renewable energy, DAAS expects that the operations can be sustained. Another key aspect of ensuring sustainability is the securing of markets both local and regional for the products. Already, OID has a growing local market but will concentrate on expanding into the regional market as a means of increasing sales.

Another aspect of the project?s sustainability is the buy in by local farmers. The ability of the farmers to sell their fish products to OID means they can be weaned off the project and sustain their own production for sale in the open market. There is a plan to established a revolving fund.

Upon completion of the project, OID would have achieved a level of sustainability with its trained staff, lower operating costs and a wider product offering. At the same time, the successful farmers will be in a position to continue to invest in their own fish and vegetable farms.