Farmers Week 2000 - A Huge Success

The government of the Virgin Islands unveiled major plans for the development of the agricultural sector during ceremonies held for Farmer's Week 2000, March 4th - 11th. With the theme Youth in Agriculture for Food in the Future, Minister of Natural Resources and Labour the Honourable Julian Fraser announced that his Ministry, in conjunction with the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, has begun an Agricultural Science Programme, scheduled to commence this fall. Addressing the Farmer's Week opening ceremony in Paraquita Bay on Saturday, he noted that recent agriculture surveys revealed that a significant number of our farmers are over 60 years of age. "To ensure this trend will change, we want to encourage young people to appreciate the need to get into farming.

"I have given instructions for the re-starting of the agricultural gardens in all the schools and it is our hope that in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Agricultural Science would be taught at both elementary and secondary levels, to encourage our young people to see that a meaningful career can be obtained in this field," Hon. Fraser said. He further challenged the Development Bank of the Virgin Islands to devote a particular interest in the farming and fishing sectors and structure a programme specifically for these two vital industries. "For starter, I strongly recommend that its board be made to include a member of each of these two sectors," the Minister suggested. He said since taking office, government has placed renewed focus on the agricultural sector. He said the agricultural plan calls for a departure in philosophy from the past, where emphasis was placed on facilitating the needs of farmers.

According to Mr. Fraser, government's policy has shifted to include production. To this end, he announced plans to build a new abattoir on Tortola and one on Virgin Gorda. This would facilitate the thrust towards the BVI becoming a net exporter of beef and dealing with the loose livestock problem on Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Anegada. "The issue of our new philosophy for agriculture is more than just producing because we can," the Agriculture Minister stated, "it goes to the larger issue of our food security." He said while it is true that our farmers were affected by Hurricanes Lenny and Jose, thanks to our Y2K Food Contingency Plan, we were able to bounce back quickly in the recovery of most of the industry. "As we celebrate another Farmer's Week, let us remember that in order for our programme to work, all of us must come together to make it happen...the Department of Agriculture must be strengthened...the farmers must play their role with us, in turn, we must provide the help that they have grown accustomed to; the government must then put their good will into action," he urged.

In Jost Van Dyke on Tuesday, Acting Chief Agricultural Officer Mrs. Arona Fahie-Forbes stated that the mission of the Department of Agriculture is to facilitate increased sustainable agricultural production. She said the vision is to be the key agency for the promotion of sustainable agricultural production for the development of all stakeholders within the sector. The Acting Director outlined several objectives of the Department for the year. These include continuing to minimize the existing farming constraints, to increase overall production within the territory, to continue to attract youth into agriculture, to ensure continuous production and the natural beauty of this territory and to strengthen and improve the services offered by the Department.

She said their focus this year for Jost Van Dyke would be to select an appropriate site for the construction of a building, stud-service centre and green-house structure to establish a mini sub-station in Great Harbour. "Upon its completion, the following services will be offered to Jost Van Dyke farmers - the propagation of vegetable seedlings, root crops and fruit trees for sale to farmers; provision of agricultural inputs such as faeces and fertilizers will be offered and supplies of irrigation and fencing material for sale to farmers," Mrs. Fahie-Forbes announced. In addition, as a means of improving customer service, a series of in-service training will be offered to staff at the Department of Agriculture. The Acting Director of Agriculture also encouraged everyone to plant something to eat. "It can be a mini vegetable garden, a mini root crop group or fruit trees around your home," she urged. She said local food is much better and reduces the cost of what we spend on food. Chief Minister the Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal travelled to the various islands throughout Farmer's Week. Speaking in Jost Van Dyke, he told farmers that there is hope now for agriculture. He commended Minister Fraser for being able to get the budget for this sector increased by 80%.

"I value the importance of agriculture, coming from an agricultural background myself...and as I told the folks on Anegada, don't only depend on the tourist dollar...we don't know when we're going to have pestilence, storms or famine...we must support the Agricultural Department...in their pursuit of increasing production," said Chief Minister O'Neal. He said government would be continuing developmental efforts on Jost Van Dyke, including ensuring that the public service is more helpful to them as customers in expediting their requests. "And that includes the Agricultural Department. You shouldn't have to send to Road Town or to Paraquita Bay to buy some plants. Those plants should be here!" The agricultural exhibition was taken to Anegada on Monday and to Virgin Gorda on Thursday, Wednesday was reserved for school programmes and the local food fair was held today (Friday). The closing programme is scheduled for the market square Saturday morning.