Beekeepers on island receive $70,000 in funding as part of FAO program
The Dominica National Beekeepers Cooperative received 70k worth of equipment, namely:
The project is designed to provide a multifaceted approach that includes policy reform advocacy, technical assistance, and various support services aimed at improving human security for farmers and small business owners in agriculture and fisheries, with a major focus on women. Approximately 2,500 farmers, fishers, and small business entrepreneurs will benefit from small grants aimed at livelihood development, ensuring that at least half of the recipients are women and a quarter are under the age of 40. Additionally, pilot programs will be implemented in 50 community groups to enhance disaster preparedness, climate change adaptation, and value chain development, ultimately reaching around 30,000 individuals.
The overarching goal of the project is to foster enhanced human security through gender equality and the economic empowerment of women within a resilient agricultural and fisheries sector. To achieve this, the project outlines five key outcomes: the availability of gender-responsive and disaster-resilient agricultural and fisheries services; access to social protection and financial products for marginalized groups; improved market readiness for smallholder farmers; strengthened community resilience through advocacy and engagement; and the integration of a human security approach across all activities.
By focusing on these areas, the project aims to create a more equitable and secure environment, particularly for those who have historically been marginalized in the agricultural and fisheries sectors.
In 2022, the Cooperative received support from this initiative, with several members participating in the Beekeepers Regional Congress held in Grenada that year.