BASSETERRE, St. Kitts –THE Department of Agriculture’s Annual Review and Planning Meeting 2009 was held on Wednesday (Feb. 11) at the Foundation for National Development’s offices in Bladen Commercial Development.
The Review highlighted the main activities of the Department’s programme areas for crops and livestock, collaboration with allied institutions, food security, and opportunity gaps and priority areas for the Department.
According to a document released by the Department, data indicates that production of five of the 11 major food crops have increased. However, consumption figures reveal that the Federation’s population still continues to consume more than is produced.
Minister of Agriculture Hon. Cedric Liburd stated that some of the major constraints to increased production were the reliance on rain-fed production, damage by stray and roaming animals, and the relocation of animals from the peninsular.
He noted that his Ministry was using the St. Kitts Agricultural Development Strategy for 2006-2011 as a guide to develop commercial agriculture in livestock, food production and agro-processing. He stressed its commitment to implementing strategies in the wake of the current financial crises and the increasing cost of input including seeds and fertilisers.
“The current financial crisis and the international food crisis have challenged us to be more efficient in the business of agriculture and therefore it is mandatory that we develop a strategy to soften to impact that may be felt by our local consumers. All stakeholders must work and plan together to chart this course.
“The marketing unit must become active and work with the farmers and the business community in order to have more of our local produce on the shelves in all our supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and the export market. We also need the continued support of all the allied agencies to assist the farmers in achieving their maximum production level,” Liburd said.
The Agriculture Minister pointed to the efforts of the Taiwanese Agricultural Technical Mission as an example of the critical assistance the Federation had received from regional and international partners.
He revealed that through this partnership, agricultural development would benefit from the strengthening of human resource capacity, product development, technological inputs and financial assistance made available to eligible farmers in the form of a US$50 000 revolving fund.
Additionally, Liburd disclosed that the government had green lighted construction of a packing house to assist farmers in the areas of maintaining standards, grading, packaging and pricing. He further stated that the Policy and Planning Unit had produced a revised incentive package for farmers and fishers willing to commercialise their agri-business.
He reassured that the government was reviewing all applications for the agricultural sector and that outstanding applications would be reviewed and successful applicants would be notified on a timely basis.
