Most vegetables, like these cabbages, are grown for local consumption. - - Post-Hurricane Aid. The tiny Caribbean island republic of Dominica was barely emerging from the wreckage of hurricane David, which struck in August 1979, when it was ravaged again by hurricane Allen, a year later. Before the double disasters, the government had encouraged small farmers to shift from the traditional way of raising sheep and goats to more intensive rearing of small stock. Many of them, along with their equipment, buildings, fencing and livestock, were wiped out. Over three quarters of the island's fishing fleet was destroyed too. In early 1982, FAO came to the assistance of Dominica, setting up a Technical Assistance Programme to provide fertilizer, seeds, tools and other necessary inputs including some fishing boats, as well, to help the island's small farmers start all over again and its fishermen too.