The Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Project in the Commonwealth of Dominica is designed to enable a national framework that balances productive land use with conservation, ensuring that Dominica’s natural resources are managed sustainably for future generations.
Our Aim
A comprehensive initiative transforming land management practices across Dominica
Parishes Covered
Watershed Management Plans
Farmers Engaged
Hectares Protected
Project Components
Comprehensive plans for Batali, Coulibistrie and Quayaneri watersheds focusing on water resource protection and sustainable use.
Strategic land use plans for 5 parishes to optimize agricultural productivity while preserving natural resources.
Training and support for farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices and improve food security.
Technical training programs for farmers, extension officers, and community leaders on sustainable practices.
Expected Outcomes
Collaborative effort bringing together government, international organizations, and local communities
Government of Dominica
United Nations Environment Programme
Global Environment Facility
Critical ecosystems supporting biodiversity and community livelihoods
Watershed management plans were designed for the Batali, Coulibistrie and Quayaneri Watersheds. The watershed management plans were designed to guide management interventions to minimize the potential threats that could further compromise the ecological functions and hydrology of the system.
A watershed management plan is a process for achieving watershed resource goals, best driven by the community in partnership with local stakeholders, government, and other interest groups to help guide restoration work, enhance the ecosystem, and preserve watershed resources for future generations.
Help allocate available resources efficiently
Provide important role for people to make positive changes
Safeguard critical ecosystem functions and biodiversity
Identify degraded systems and highlight potential future issues
Help to prioritize areas of restoration for maximum impact
Help to secure funds for restoration work and projects
An agricultural land-use plan is a critical tool for the sustainable management and development of agricultural resources. It plays a vital role in ensuring the efficient and responsible use of land for agricultural purposes. Here are some of the key reasons why agricultural land-use planning is important:
The Project’s objective is to establish landscape-level planning, information, and coordination frameworks to support sustainable agriculture and sustainable watershed management in Dominica. Comprehensive land use plans were developed for the five parishes in which the project is being implemented –
Interactive Parish Map
Parish of St. Patrick Proposed Land-Use Plan
Parish of St. Patrick Proposed Land-Use PlanLoss of soil fertility due to excessive tilling, steep slopes, and poor agricultural practices.
Fragmented farming systems lacking integrated watershed management.
Poor road access, limiting transport of produce and farm inputs.
Limited access to credit and financing for farmers.
Erosion and flooding negatively impacting farmlands and infrastructure.
Interventions proposed:
Promote contour and conservation farming to reduce soil erosion.
Encourage sustainable soil management techniques.
Rehabilitate farm access roads for market access.
Introduce alternative livelihood opportunities to reduce pressure on steep lands.
Issues:
Deforestation for farming, charcoal, and development.
Unsustainable harvesting of forest products.
Proposed actions:
Reforestation and natural regeneration in degraded zones.
Enforcement of forest management regulations.
Promotion of community-based forest management programs.
Restoration of mangroves and riparian buffer zones.
Issues:
Weak integration between agricultural, forestry, and environmental management sectors.
Overlapping mandates and limited coordination.
Lack of technical capacity for integrated land-use planning.
Proposed actions:
Strengthen coordination between ministries and agencies.
Develop an integrated database and GIS-based planning tools.
Build institutional and technical capacity for land-use management.
Issues:
Farming on steep slopes increases vulnerability to landslides and flooding.
High risk of soil erosion and sedimentation following hurricanes.
Proposed actions:
Implement land stabilization and slope protection projects.
Reforest critical catchment areas.
Encourage disaster-resilient agriculture (e.g., agroforestry).
Active farming on the plains and foothills within the MTPNP buffer zone.
Promote agroforestry and mixed cropping systems.
Support soil and water conservation practices.
Encourage the use of organic fertilizers and reduced chemical inputs.
Develop alternative crops to increase economic diversification.
Introduce training and technical support for farmers on SLM practices.
Strengthen farmer organizations to facilitate input supply, marketing, and training.
Develop integrated watershed management frameworks.
Introduce incentive schemes for adopting sustainable practices.
Promote reforestation and the establishment of green belts.
Enhance disaster preparedness through community education.
Parish of St. George Proposed Land Use Plan
Parish of St. George Proposed Land Use PlanLoss of soil fertility due to over-cultivation and unsustainable land-use practices.
Declining yields on steep slopes.
Abandonment of marginal lands after Hurricane Maria.
Poor access roads and farm-to-market connectivity.
Limited technical assistance and capacity among farmers.
Interventions proposed:
Encourage sustainable soil conservation and agroforestry.
Promote contour farming and terracing on sloping lands.
Develop alternative livelihood programs to reduce pressure on fragile areas.
Provide extension training for climate-resilient practices.
Rehabilitate farm access roads for market linkages.
Issues:
Deforestation and land degradation in the upper watershed areas.
Unsustainable extraction of forest products and encroachment.
Proposed actions:
Reforestation programs and natural regeneration in degraded forest zones.
Strengthen enforcement of forest protection laws.
Promote community-based forest management systems.
Rehabilitate riparian zones and buffer areas to control erosion.
Issues:
Weak coordination between land-use sectors (agriculture, forestry, housing).
Limited use of data-driven and GIS-based decision-making.
Lack of zoning and land-use regulation enforcement.
Proposed actions:
Develop a parish-level land-use zoning plan.
Establish inter-ministerial coordination committees.
Build capacity of local planning units and technical staff.
Create a centralized data system for land management.
Issues:
Vulnerability to flooding and landslides, especially in Bellevue Chopin and Eggleston areas.
Poor drainage and unstable slopes affecting farms and settlements.
Proposed actions:
Implement slope stabilization and erosion control structures.
Introduce flood mitigation infrastructure in low-lying settlements.
Promote agroforestry to reduce runoff and soil loss.
Relocate vulnerable settlements where necessary.
Encourage farming on gentle slopes and valley bottoms under SLM guidelines.
Promote agroforestry and mixed cropping systems.
Encourage organic and low-chemical-input farming.
Implement water conservation techniques for irrigation.
Provide incentives for farmers adopting SLM technologies.
Introduce capacity-building and awareness programs.
Strengthen institutional and technical capacity for land-use management.
Establish integrated watershed management systems.
Increase awareness and public participation in SLM.
Support farmer cooperatives to enhance market access and resource pooling.
Encourage youth participation in agriculture and environmental management.
Monitor and evaluate the implementation of land-use plans regularly.
Parish of St. Joseph Proposed Land Use Plan
Parish of St. Joseph Proposed Land Use PlanLoss of soil fertility due to over-cultivation, steep slopes, and unsustainable farming.
SaveAbandonment of farmlands post-Hurricane Maria.
Erosion and landslides affecting productive land.
Limited access to agricultural inputs and farm credit.
Poor infrastructure for transportation and irrigation.
Proposed Interventions:
Promote contour farming, soil conservation, and agroforestry systems.
Introduce crop diversification and market-oriented production.
Strengthen farmer cooperatives and access to financing.
Rehabilitate farm access roads to enhance marketing and logistics.
Train farmers in climate-resilient and sustainable practices.
Issues:
Deforestation in upper watershed and forest reserve areas.
Unsustainable logging and timber extraction.
Encroachment into protected forest zones.
Proposed Actions:
Implement reforestation and assisted natural regeneration projects.
Strengthen community-based forestry management initiatives.
Enhance enforcement of forestry regulations and conservation policies.
Establish riparian buffers and tree belts along vulnerable slopes.
Issues:
Poor integration between land-use sectors.
Lack of updated land-use plans and zoning policies.
Limited institutional capacity for spatial planning.
Proposed Actions:
Develop parish-level zoning frameworks.
Integrate land-use data and GIS mapping tools.
Build capacity of technical staff and local authorities.
Strengthen inter-agency coordination on land management.
Issues:
High vulnerability to flooding and landslides in hilly and coastal areas.
Poor drainage and soil stability in agricultural zones.
Proposed Actions:
Construct slope stabilization and erosion control infrastructure.
Promote agroforestry as a natural disaster mitigation measure.
Develop flood management plans for low-lying settlements.
Introduce land-use restrictions in high-risk zones.
Encourage farming on suitable slopes and valleys following SLM guidelines.
Adopt mixed cropping and integrated farming systems.
Promote organic and reduced-chemical-input agriculture.
Establish incentive programs for adopting SLM technologies.
Conduct public education and awareness campaigns.
Improve coordination between agriculture, forestry, and environment sectors.
Introduce sustainable watershed management systems.
Strengthen farmer associations and market linkages.
Support youth engagement in agriculture.
Monitor and review SLM implementation progress regularly.
Parish of St. Paul Proposed Land Use Plan
Parish of St. Paul Proposed Land Use PlanIssues:
Loss of soil fertility due to over-cultivation and erosion on steep slopes.
Abandonment of farmland after Hurricane Maria.
Unsustainable tilling and poor land-use practices.
Lack of access to farm roads, markets, and financing.
Proposed Actions:
Encourage contour and conservation farming methods.
Rehabilitate access roads and farm tracks to support market access.
Promote agroforestry and mixed cropping systems.
Train farmers in sustainable and climate-resilient practices.
Introduce soil stabilization and organic farming approaches.
Issues:
Deforestation in upper watersheds and critical forest areas.
Unsustainable harvesting of forest products.
Encroachment into protected zones.
Proposed Actions:
Implement reforestation and natural regeneration programs.
Establish community-based forest management initiatives.
Strengthen enforcement of forest conservation laws.
Restore riparian zones and protect water catchments.
Issues:
Lack of coordinated planning among agriculture, forestry, and environment sectors.
Insufficient data and mapping for integrated land-use decisions.
Weak local institutional capacity for land-use management.
Proposed Actions:
Develop a parish-level land-use zoning framework.
Create inter-agency coordination platforms.
Build GIS and data management capacity for planners.
Support community participation in land-use planning.
Issues:
Vulnerability to flooding, landslides, and soil erosion.
Poor drainage and slope instability affecting settlements and farms.
Proposed Actions:
Implement slope stabilization and erosion control projects.
Promote agroforestry to strengthen soil structure.
Improve drainage and flood mitigation infrastructure.
Restrict new construction in high-risk areas.
Promote farming on suitable slopes with proper soil management.
Encourage mixed cropping, crop rotation, and sustainable irrigation.
Support organic and reduced-chemical-input agriculture.
Provide incentives and technical assistance for SLM adoption.
Increase farmer awareness through education and outreach.
Strengthen technical capacity in SLM at community and institutional levels.
Integrate watershed management into parish development plans.
Enhance coordination between agriculture, environment, and forestry.
Support youth and women’s involvement in land restoration.
Establish continuous monitoring of land degradation and restoration efforts.
Parish of St. David Proposed Land-Use Plan
Parish of St. David Proposed Land-Use PlanIssues:
Loss of soil fertility caused by continuous cultivation and unsustainable land-use practices.
Poor drainage and erosion on steep slopes.
Abandonment of marginal or damaged farmland following Hurricane Maria.
Limited access to technical training and market infrastructure.
Proposed Actions:
Encourage contour and conservation farming methods.
Promote mixed cropping and agroforestry systems.
Support the rehabilitation of farm access roads.
Provide training in sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
Introduce incentives for adopting soil and water conservation technologies.
Issues:
Deforestation from fuel-wood collection and hillside farming.
Land degradation in upper watershed zones and along riparian areas.
Proposed Actions:
Undertake reforestation and natural regeneration in degraded forest zones.
Strengthen enforcement of forestry legislation.
Encourage community-based forest management programs.
Restore buffer zones around streams and rivers to protect water quality.
Issues:
Limited coordination between government agencies managing land and agriculture.
Lack of integrated planning and zoning at the parish level.
Inadequate technical resources for spatial and environmental planning.
Proposed Actions:
Develop an integrated parish-level land-use plan.
Build GIS-based data systems to support evidence-based decision-making.
Establish inter-ministerial coordination committees for land-use management.
Provide training for local and technical officers in SLM and mapping.
Issues:
High exposure to flooding and landslides, especially along the east coast and interior slopes.
Vulnerable settlements and farms located on unstable terrain.
Proposed Actions:
Implement slope stabilization, reforestation, and erosion-control works.
Improve drainage infrastructure in flood-prone areas.
Promote agroforestry and vegetation buffers as natural defences.
Strengthen community preparedness and relocation planning where needed.
Encourage farming on suitable slopes following sustainable guidelines.
Adopt agroforestry, crop rotation, and mixed-cropping systems.
Reduce dependence on chemical inputs through organic and eco-friendly methods.
Support capacity-building and farmer awareness initiatives.
Promote water-harvesting and efficient irrigation systems.
Institutionalize sustainable land-use planning within parish development frameworks.
Integrate watershed management into agricultural and infrastructure programs.
Support youth and women in land restoration and environmental stewardship.
Develop financial incentives for farmers implementing SLM practices.
Establish monitoring systems for land degradation and reforestation progress.
Sustainable agriculture is a farming and food production system that aims to provide for current societal needs while preserving and enhancing the long-term health of the environment, the economic viability of farming, and the well-being of farming communities. It is a holistic approach to agriculture that takes into account not only the immediate economic and production aspects but also the broader social and environmental impacts.
To increase the number of farmers utilizing sustainable land management mechanisms in agriculture, improved food safety and production quality leading to farm certification and improved market access respectively.
