In an effort to encourage young farmers and foster investment in various sectors such as agriculture, aquaculture, mariculture, agro-processing, and forestry, the Cabinet approved the creation of an Agricultural Land Lease Facility on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
An Office of the Prime Minister release indicated that this initiative will implement the government’s commitment outlined in the 2025-2026 budget to allocate at least 300 acres of state-owned land across Dominica specifically for agricultural purposes.
The designated sites include notable areas such as Newfoundland Estate, Londonderry Estate, Woodfordhill-Mango Gutter, Wesley-Joe Burton, Morne Prosper, Charlotte Valley, Savanne York, Williams Settlement, Wotten Waven, Blenheim Estate, Pointe Mulatre Estate-Fond Thomas, Hertford Estate-Warner, and Richmond Estate in Castle Bruce.
The OPm reports that Cabinet sanctioned several key measures, including:
– The allocation of state lands for leasing to farmers, with parcels ranging from 1 to 5 acres. These lands will be leased at a rate of EC$1.00 per acre annually for the initial five-year period, with the possibility of renewal contingent upon continued agricultural activity.
– The appointment of a Technical Advisory Committee responsible for overseeing the selection and placement of farmers, providing guidance on enterprise development, recommending training opportunities, offering technical assistance, and supporting investment planning and market access.
– The hiring of a Pupil Surveyor on a contractual basis to serve as an Agricultural Land Lease Technician. This individual will handle application processing, land surveys, lease management, compliance monitoring, database development, and act as the Secretary to the Advisory Committee.
– The adoption of standardized lease agreements, which will specify exclusive agricultural use, a five-year lease duration, restrictions on subleasing and habitation, ongoing compliance checks, and automatic termination in case of breach.
– Eligibility requirements targeting young and land-constrained farmers, including active involvement or proposals in agricultural production, registration as farmers, possession of a valid Produce Sellers’ Licence, and adherence to Social Security regulations.
The overarching goal of the Facility is to boost agricultural output, support the next generation of farmers, enhance food security, and promote sustainable economic growth in rural communities, as per the release.