ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, February 15th, 2012 – Farmers’ Week celebrations are in full swing as residents continue to support the activities throughout the week on the sister islands.
At agricultural exhibitions on Anegada and Jost Van Dyke held on February 13 and 14 respectively, Chief Agricultural Officer Mr. Bevin Braithwaite expressed how overwhelmed he was with the numbers that came out in support of the events to mark 20 years of Farmers’ Week.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering at the opening ceremonies, Mr. Braithwaite said, “We must envision a Virgin Islands community that can harness the traditional farming methods and embrace the new production methods through technology to ensure self sufficiency and food security.”
The chief added, “As a Territory we are heavily dependent on importing food to feed ourselves but the aim of the Department of Agriculture and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour is not only to provide the medium to increase the agricultural production across the Territory but to inform and educate the populace on agricultural advances in crop and livestock farming so that it can be passed the youths who are the future leaders of this Territory.”
According to Mr. Braithwaite, some techniques are already being used by the local producers who steadily strive to do their part to reduce the importing food dependency and increase the Territory’s food security and self sufficiency.
Farmers’ Week continues on Thursday, February 16, with an agricultural exhibition on Virgin Gorda at 10:00 a.m. Road Town Fast Ferry departs Road Town at 9 a.m. and returns at 3 p.m.
The week’s activities will conclude with a closing ceremony and grand food fair at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park on Friday, February 17 from 10 a.m. until.
Farmers Week was first observed in 1992. This year’s theme is “Celebrating 20 Years of BVI Culture through Agriculture”.
The Department of Agriculture and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour work collaboratively on the sustainable development of the agricultural industry in the Territory. Farmers’ Week is held annually in support of local farmers and aims to heighten public awareness of the importance of agriculture to the Territory.
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