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GOVERNMENT TAKES PRO ACTIVE MEASURES TO SAVE THE MOUNTAIN CHICKEN |
By Tarnia Green-Reid - Reporter/ Anchor
March 27, 2006 - The population of Dominica's mountain chicken or crapaud (Leptodactylus fallax) is on the decline and Government is taking steps to correct that situation.
The island represents one the last two remaining strongholds for the species until the emergence of the Chytridiomycosis (Chytrid) fungus threat in 2002. (Chytridiomycosis -Chytrid is a fungal disease that infects the skin of the frogs and other amphibians. The fungus can only be seen under a microscope. In some cases, skin sores (ulcers), reddening and sloughing (shedding) of the skin can be seen.)
Between 2002 and 2004, the disease according to Forestry officials in Dominica is estimated to have reduced the crapaud population by about 70%.
To address this disease threat to the crapaud and to other Caribbean amphibians, the Government of Dominica launched an Amphibian Darwin Initiative Project in April 2005, with funding assistance form the DARWIN Initiative.
Collaborators on the project include the Forestry and Wildlife Division and Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Government of Dominica along with contributors from other conservation organizations including Chester Zoo, London Zoo and Fauna and Flora International.
Government in March 2006 officially commissioned a Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory at the Botanic Gardens, under the Darwin Initiative Project with assistance from the Zoological Society of London. The structure was constructed with funds from Dominica's EU- STABEX 96/97 Agricultural Diversification Programme.
The main purposes of the lab are to provide:
- Molecular diagnosis of Chytrid fungus from samples taken from amphibians in Dominica
- To detect the distribution of this diseases on the island by environmental sampling
- To process samples from other Caribbean Islands at risk
- To perform post- mortem examinations on amphibians to detect cause of death (whether link to chytrid fungus or not)
- And to provide in the future molecular diagnosis of other diseases which may pose threat to the islands of the region.
The island's Agriculture and Environment Minister Hon. Dr. Colin Mc Intyre says "The construction and opening of the lab represents a major milestone in the progress of the project as the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with several institutions both in Dominica and overseas seeks through research to understand the phenomenon of the chytrid fungus plaguing amphibians in Dominica and other parts of the world". The Minister also noted that"the lab will be used by other countries in the O.E.C.S to carry out studies on other amphibians in the region".
Government has also embarked on a public education drive to educate the public about the threat facing the mountain chicken through the publication of leaflets and posters. A website is also being developed which will outline the disease threat to the crapaud and ways in which people can help in conserving the remaining frogs on the island. A ban has been placed by the Government of Dominica on the hunting of crapaud, which is also known as the island's National dish.
In addition to raising awareness, a surveillance network has been created with the assistance of the general public and Dominican Hunters Association, inviting people to report any sightings of the frogs (including sick, dead or healthy animals).
An International Scientific Forum was held in Dominica in March 2006. Representatives from other Caribbean were present and each presented a brief synopsis on the state of amphibians on their island. Representatives and researchers from the scientific community presented research done on the chytridimicosis and amphibian husbandry.
The creation of an international captive breeding programme for the Dominican crapaud including a breeding centre on the island also forms part of the wider crapaud conservation project.
CARIBBEAN AGRICULTURE FORUM FOR YOUTH MEETING HELD IN DOMINICA
By Royette Greenaway - Information Officer
March 27, 2006 - Dominica was host to the second executive meeting of the Caribbean Agriculture Forum for Youth - CAFY
The meeting which convened at the St. Gerald's Hall from March 9 - 10, 2006, under the theme "Leadership Development and Policy Integration for Youth in Agriculture" attracted participants from Trinidad & Tobago, St, Vincent & the Grenadines, Guyana, Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica.
The two day meeting canvassed the way forward for CAFY, its implementation strategy and plan; its indicators for success evaluation framework; its marketing plan and its executive business reports.
At the opening ceremony Dominica's Agriculture Minister Dr. Collin Mac Intyre says "it is time the region dignify agriculture." We must computerize and modernize agriculture like the other sectors are doing". He advised the young agriculture entrepreneurs to get involve in crop research to sustain the market.
Youth Minister Hon. Vince Henderson, an honorary member of the Caribbean Agriculture Forum for Youth - CAFY, says despite the global challenges in agriculture there is room for the development of Caribbean agriculture. He reiterated the fact that the region needs to collaborate with tourism and Agriculture to find a niche market for the product. "You must place emphasis on organic agriculture and develop a culture of research and development, so that the region can have reliable production systems to deal with the issue of consistency, quality and quantity and to sustain the tourism market."
The Caribbean Agriculture Forum for Youth - CAFY was formed in 2002. It comprise of members of the National Association of Youth in Agriculture in the Caribbean region.
It is a key mechanism for the involvement of youth in commercial agriculture and for the sharing of experiences, policy dialogue, and strategy development to foster increased involvement in a qualitative and quantitative manner.
CAFY seeks to promote increase innovation among youth, particularly rural youth, to achieve greater development in rural areas for the broad based sustainable development of agriculture.
It specifically seeks:
- To enhance the income earning capacity of youth, individually and collectively and enhance the quality of life of themselves and their communities
- To increase funding opportunities for youth pursuing agricultural initiatives
- To develop leadership and negotiating skills and the ability to work well with others in group and community situations
- To improve their capabilities to produce and market food and to conserve productive resources in the rural environment
- To strengthen their entrepreneurial skills and abilities
- To support the development of appropriate terms and conditions for youth to access available funding opportunities for agric- entrepreneurial ventures.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture IICA, is the funding agency for CAFY. IICA's Regional Representative, Una Mae Gordon, says her institution is committed to agriculture and the development of the youth.
Dominica presently holds the presidency of the Caribbean Agriculture Forum for Youth - CAFY.
The Government of Dominica is committed to the development and involvement of young people in agriculture. The government through the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and the Environment has initiated an Agricultural Credit Scheme under the Young Farmers Programme.
The Government has made available an initial amount of EC$150,000.00 in partnership with the National Development Foundation for financial assistance to the young farmers. (END) |
