Tourism vs. Agriculture in Dominica: The Impact of Economic Sector Prioritization on Food Security

The United Nations has designated the Caribbean as “ground zero” in the global climate emergency, warning that, without immediate action, many islands could become uninhabitable. Like other small island nations, Dominica is increasingly vulnerable to climate-related disasters. The devastation of the 2017 and 2018 hurricanes, which wiped out 80% of the nation’s agriculture, underscored this threat. In response, Dominica’s government has committed to becoming the world’s first climate-resilient nation. New economic policy prioritizes tourism over agriculture, marking a significant shift in the country’s economic structure. Given Dominica’s historic ties to agriculture and its natural environment, this transition raises critical questions about whether it will aid declining food security and how it could shift national identity.