The government scaling up its efforts to increase agricultural production in the
country with food security one of its main goals. This will be the focus of an
agricultural symposium planned for June 18 this year with the proposed theme;
Agriculture- A new vision, unearthing opportunities.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne show on Saturday, Agricultural Minister,
E.P Chet Greene, said there is no other sector of the local economy poised for
investments like agriculture. The aim of the symposium will also explore ways to
encourage more nationals to invest in agriculture.
“Our government has a major thrust to scale up agricultural production in this
country in all areas, from a wider variety of crops to producing more animal meats
for consumption and thus reducing the high food import bill that we now have,” he
stated.
The figures produced by the ministry of agriculture tell an alarming tale: The
nation’s food consumption bill is over EC $200 million per year.
Of this amount, over EC $100 million is from Livestock and by-products
From Agriculture, we produce only about 16% of what we consume annually
Only 3% of Chicken
Only 3% Fruits and Nuts
Only 3% of Goat
Only 3% of Sheep
Only 6% of Pork
Only 7% of beef
Only 17% of Vegetables and Melons (MoA Figures)
Clearly, according to the document, there is significant room for expansion, which
creates opportunities for Investments in local production. How to narrow the gap
between what is consumed locally and what is produced will take centre stage at
the June 18 symposium.
As part of its plans, Greene said the government wants to encourage all farmers to
register in order for them to access the package of incentives specially tailored for
the agricultural sector. The list of government’s assistance to the agricultural sector
includes the following;
(1) Government already provides duty free concessions to farmers
(2) Government provides lands at very low yearly rates of $10 per acre per year
(3) Government provides subsidies for both water and electricity to farmers
(4) Farmers get materials without paying ABST, at wholesale prices from select
stores
(5) Government provides land preparation services at low rates
(6) Government provides farming materials like fertilizer, drip lines, etc.
(7) Government provides training, technical assistance
(8) Government builds, expands dams for farmers
(9) Government clears waterways for farms to prevent flooding
Government’s consultant on agriculture, Dr Patrick Lay, reported that both he and
his team are conducting experiments with a variety of seeds that will produce
greater yields from a single plant. They are also exploring different methodologies
to improve both the quantity and the quality of meats that are produced locally.
