The CERC Project

Contingency Emergency response Component (CERC)

The Commonwealth of Dominica faced with the COVID 19 pandemic, the Ministry of Blue and Green Economy, Agriculture and National Food Security decided to utilize the resources under the Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC). Component D, from the Emergency Agricultural Emergency Livelihoods and Climate Resilience Project, (EALCRP) (This allows countries to access resources rapidly to meet current priorities)
On March 20, 2020, the Government of Dominica requested the World Bank to utilize US$3.6 million from the ongoing EALCRP, to address the challenges related to agriculture production, food security, and public health issues caused by the coronavirus crisis.
US$1.5 million is allocated for Strengthening of the National Agricultural Productive Base and Food Security and US$2.1 million for Strengthening of National Health Systems to address the COVID 19 Crisis.
The CERC project launched May 21, 2020 by Agriculture Minister
The implementation period of the agricultural component runs from May to November, 2020

Main Objectives

Minimizing the potential impact on seedling production, through centralized regional propagation of seeds and distribution of seedlings.
Ensuring access of stakeholders in the agriculture sector to affordable labor services and marketing related services.
Ensuring availability and accessibility of feed to livestock producers for their continuous supply to domestic markets.
Strengthening the capacities of the agriculture sector in addressing food security problems caused by the covid-19

Development of an Action Plan for CEREC

The Project Implementation Unit of the Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience Project developed an Action Plan. The CERC Action Plan is the strategic execution tool for response to the threat of COVID 19 Virus. Its’ main objectives include strengthening the capacities of the agriculture sector in addressing food security problems caused by the covid-19, and ensuring availability and accessibility of feed to livestock producers for their continuous supply to domestic markets.

CERC Action Plan consists of the following components and subcomponents:

A. Enhancing Local Food Security and Agricultural Production System

A.1: Strengthening Micro-farms/Micro garden systems
A.2: Strengthening Cropping systems
A.3: Strengthening Livestock systems
A.4: Strengthening the Division of Agriculture and PIU to deliver services mentioned in previous components.

The Government of Dominica recommended a stimulus package to encourage agricultural production and marketing. This include distribution of inputs to farmers, which are outside the scope of the EALCRP to receive inputs for crops and livestock; and to provide cash grant to farmers approved under the EALCRP for covering their labour and other direct costs.

Key Interventions:

Support to Micro Gardeners

Under this component, beneficiaries are receiving an essential package of inputs, which include key quality vegetable seeds and herbs, organic fertilizers, small tools, agro chemicals, potting mix and seedling trays, in the amount of EC$500/per household. This component is targeting 500 micro-farmers with land space of 3,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet. The total amount under this subcomponent is estimated at approximately EC$250,000 or US$93,000.

Eligibility

Land space from 3,000 sq. ft to 10,000 sq.ft

National ID

Applications are done online and via printed forms from the Agricultural Regional Offices

CERC MicroGarden Programme

Click HERE to apply

Strengthening Livestock Systems

In Strengthening Livestock Systems, the Ministry of Blue and Green Economy, Agriculture and National Food Security realized the need to secure animals' protein during the Covid-19 pandemic. Its focus is on pork and poultry production to enhance the production of protein for the population in Dominica. Eighty-five (85) livestock producers are targeted. This include 45 poultry (broiler) producers and 40 pig producers.
The Ministry of Agriculture and National Food Security realized the need to secure animals' protein during the Covid-19 pandemic. The focus is on pork and poultry production to enhance the production of protein for the population in Dominica. 85 livestock producers targeted to include ,45 poultry (broiler) producers and 40 pork producers.
Funds allocated to the livestock CERC component total ECD257,500.00 (95,370USD), primarily in the form of feed. The broiler producers’ package is valued to include cost of chicks EC$54,000 (20,000USD), feed EC$158,400 (58,600 USD) and freight EC$ 3000 (1,100 USD). Support to pig producers in feed will account for EC$42,100 (15,670 USD).
The project will provide18,000-day-old broiler chicks over a six-month period to qualified poultry producers.
Provision of feed support to pig producers, having finishers a 100 pounds or more, based on two classifications: medium scale (between 6 to 10) and large-scale producers (more than 11 pigs)

Eligibility

Broilers Producers

Pen size must be 100 square feet or more.
Must have a functional brooding area.
Must have produced at least 6 batches of broilers within the last 12 months
Must be willing to sell to the abattoir

Successful applicant will raise the birds for a five-week period with an expected weight gain of 5lbs per bird. The total expected chicken production for this operation is 61,740lbs (dress weight) an average of 10,000lbs per month.
Birds will be weight at the abattoir and farmers will be paid through the existing arrangement between the farmers and the Ministry.

Pig Producers

Must have 6 or more finishing pigs.
Must have a proper waste disposal system
Must will to sell to the abattoir

Feed will be distributed through a voucher system where farmers will collect feed from local merchants. Each Beneficiary is expected to sign an agreement which will outline the terms and agreement to be kept while raising the broilers.
Pork generated from the feed support program to pig producers will be approximately 10,500lbs (carcass weight). After the grow out period, the farmers will be paid a fee of $1/lb live weight per bird and $0.5/lb less than the original price.
The management of the Abattoir will purchase all broilers and pigs under the livestock CERC program for slaughter and subsequently sale to consumers.
Applications were done online and via printed forms from the Agricultural Regional Offices

Cash Grant Support

The CERC provides a cash grant support to individual crop farmers approved under the EALCRP towards meeting their labour and other direct costs.
Two thousand and five hundred (2,500) beneficiaries are targeted to receive CASH support. The total budget for this subcomponent is estimated at (EC$3.5 million).
Small farmers are provided with a cash package of EC$700 per beneficiary;Medium farmers provided with a cash package of EC$1,400 per beneficiary; Large crop farmers entitled to a cash package of EC$2,800 per beneficiary.
The grant is being transferred through individual account with information provided on the Cash Grant Application Form. In order for fees to be processed, applicants MUST show a national identification and MUST sign the form.
To receive the cash grant, beneficiaries must have signed their beneficiary agreement and must have collected inputs on their voucher.
Once the beneficiary is approved under the EARLCRP as a commercial farmer, he/she is entitled to the cash grant. In the case of no land authorization by existing and new farmers applications:
1. proof of farming activity is required either through his/her name appearing on the before and after list of a reputable organization such as Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA); or verified by the Agricultural Team Leader or Banana and Plantain Unit attached to the Ministry Agriculture as an active farmer; and
2. A valid produce seller license for the past twelve (12) months is required which MUST also be verified by the Team leader of extension.
Cash Grants disbursed to date as of September 02, 2020. 504 farmers, totaling EC$43,200.00

Centralized Production of Vegetable Seedlings

Centralized production of Vegetable Seedlings is of critical importance to ensure accessibility of seedlings to the general public. The program facilitated the production of around 300,000 seedlings for distribution to the commercial farmers, medium and small farmers alike.
The backyard gardeners will include households, church-based organizations and other entities which will be provided with seedlings or seeds to produce food for their households and to sell the excess.
The CERC project contributed with the provision of around 150 bags (25kg) of Potting Mix for the centralized propagation following Agricultural Stations including Portsmouth -50 bags; La Plaine – 25 bags; Woodford Hill – 25 bags; Kalinago Council – 25 bags; and Botanical Gardens – 25 bags.
Seeds aligned to food security goals are also going to be provided under the CERC to improve vegetable production in targeted locations with five species delivered from the PIU as follows in Cucumbers; Cabbages; Melons; Tomatoes and Lettuce available valued at around EC$25,000 (US$10,000)

Communication Strategy

A communication Strategy Implementation plan has been developed to promote and provide communication support to the CERC Action Plan to ensure that the objectives of the programme are successfully attained.