| Abstract: |
The economy of Dominica faces a unique set of challenges. As with many other
Caribbean nations, Dominica has historically been dependent upon agriculture.
Over the past several hundred years, the island's economy has been largely
supported through the concentrated mono-cropping of a variety of
export-oriented crops including coffee, limes, vanilla, and bananas (FAVACA,
2008). Today, approximately 45% of Dominica's labor force is employed in the
agricultural sector (FAVACA, 2008). While neighboring countries have
economically benefited from tourism, due to its lack of white sand beaches,
Dominica is not a typical tourist destination. Taking advantage of its
landscape, rainforests, and diversity of natural wildlife, in an effort to
diversify its economy Dominica has instead catered to eco-/wellness tourists.
Bridging its agricultural foundations with the ecological preservation needed
to support its tourist industry, the government of Dominica has signaled its
interest in transforming Dominica into an Organic Island (âOrganic Dominica')
by 2015. Through this initiative, sustainable, organic agricultural production
methods will be encouraged. Complementing this, a âBuy Organic, Locally Grown'
campaign has been proposed to encourage domestic and regional consumption of
Dominica's agricultural outputs and food products. As such, âOrganic Dominica'
has the potential to simultaneously address ongoing national concerns
surrounding food security, foreign exchange availability, domestic
un/underemployment, and environmental preservation. Before and since proposing
this policy, surveys were conducted to identity the major stakeholders in
(organic) agricultural production, and current and potential markets for
organic production. It remains, however, to quantify Dominica's capacity to
produce organic goods, the scale of the potential market, and the price premia
that organic production could command. This information is critical to
determining the appropriate initial level of producer support and marketing
programs required to successfully promote the production and consumption of
Dominica's organic outputs and propel Dominica toward the desired status of a
model âOrganic Island'. |
| Keywords: |
contingent valuation, willingness to pay, Caribbean, organic, locally grown, food, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Development, Marketing, O13, O54, Q01, Q13, Q18, |