Roadtown, Tortola - My People of the Virgin Islands, especially the farmers and concerned consumers, I am Omar Wallace Hodge your representative and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour. As Minister, I am responsible along with my Government for setting the policy for the development of the agricultural industry.

For the past few months I have heard many criticisms about our Government’s plan for the agricultural industry.  Let me make clear to you what that plan is.  Food, Food Production and Food Security are at the fore-front of our agenda to ensure that there is continuous and sustainable growth in the agricultural sector. In this Territory we import over 90% of our food.  That is unacceptable!  We must work toward the establishment of a system which will transport us to greater food productivity and self-sufficiency. We must all stay focused and committed on ways which will result in the empowerment of our people, the agricultural industry and most importantly our farmers.

This Government is prepared to take the necessary steps in our agricultural pursuits to ensure that the highest level of food safety, quality standards and increased food production is reached and maintained. In this regard government has agreed to enhance the industry using both traditional and mass production farming methods.
 
The records speak for themselves!  The government has been subsidizing agriculture in the BVI for years.  Among other things, we have provided farmers with land for farming and water for animals and crops.  We have also purchased and distributed farm supplies to assist with the production of food. Government has also met individually or collectively with farmers to discuss their ideas and challenges as it relates to the way forward in agriculture. 

But make no mistake, farmers have a role to play in this partnership.  Local farmers are responsible for tending to their individual lots to ensure the best possible yield.  Because they have no direct control over the elements, their levels of production is influenced by crop exposure to sun, rain, wind, animals and birds, As a result of this, I have devised a pilot project to help farmers to realize that we can effectively use technology in farming.

With the introduction of the greenhouse technology which creates a close to ideal environment, we can realize our desire to secure mass food production in this Territory. 

The greenhouse is a physical structure which is erected and which creates the ideal environment for a particular crop or set of crops by regulating the temperature inside the structure. The greenhouse traps energy within the structure and this in turn provides heat for the plants and the ground inside the greenhouse. It warms the air near the ground, preventing it from rising and leaving the confines of the structure.  The temperature remains constant with the influx of hot or cool air as necessary being regulated by a computer. Plants are planted in the soil, as is presently done by traditional farming methods, and an irrigation system is set up to water and feed the plants with the proper nutrients for optimal growth.

One major benefit of the greenhouse is the ability to control the temperature, light and moisture inside the structure which helps to guarantee the desired results.  Another major benefit is the extended growing and sowing season.

Now my people of the Virgin Islands, let me put to rest your concerns which I thought were already made clear in my statements during Farmers Week 2009.

I have no intention to, and never will mislead, misguide or even attempt to deceive or disenfranchise the people of these Virgin Islands nor will I get into any dispute with anyone not interested in seeing the agricultural industry mature.

1. This Government is NOT embarking on hydroponic greenhouse farming.  It is not my intention to under-value the importance of Hydroponic technology.  It is another method of food production, but it is not the method our Government is currently focused on.

2. Government will be using organic farming methods in our greenhouses.  Greenhouse technology provides a way to get the same job done in the least amount of time and land space with minimum strain on the farmer. Greenhouses provide easy access to crops as they are physically less demanding than wide open spaces and fields.

3. This Government on behalf of its people will procure and own six (6) greenhouses which are to be constructed here in these islands at Paraquita Bay on Tortola and at South Sound, Virgin Gorda in the first instance.

4. Government has already agreed that the labour force for the greenhouses will be our local farmers or interested BVIslanders.  Any willing person needs only to communicate their interest to the Department of Agriculture or the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour.

5. Government has agreed that three (3) expatriate Officers will assist us in the operations of the green houses.  One (1) agronomist will oversee the technical and scientific aspects of the operations to be shared between Tortola and Virgin Gorda.  We will also enlist the expertise of two (2) foremen—one each for the complexes on Tortola and Virgin Gorda.  With respect to the foremen, Government has already decided that these two individuals will be shadowed by four (4) Virgin Islanders who will benefit from the transfer of expertise and training.  Government will then be in a position to have its own foremen in the foreseeable future. 

It is Government’s aim to see our farmers not only as cultivators but as businessmen and women, producing, marketing and supplying their produce.  There is a place at all levels for those interested.

My people, the technical staff at the Department of Agriculture along with our experienced agronomist will be responsible for the management of these greenhouses.  Officers from the Ministry and the Department of Agriculture held a series of meetings with farmers on Tortola, Anegada and Virgin Gorda to discuss Government’s plan to implement greenhouse technology after their return in May of 2008 from the Dominican Republic where they engaged in site visits to determine the viability of the technology in this region.

At those meetings the various farming associations on Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Anegada were asked to forward the names of farmers who would be able to visit the Dominican Republic and view what myself and my Team had seen on our visit.  The farmers who visited the facility were Mr. Arundell Donovan, Mr. Edmund Maduro and Dr. Clinton W. George.  I received no criticism from them following their visits and indeed some like Mr. Edmund Maduro gave me high praise and pledged his support.  Mr. Fletcher Scatliffe did not accompany the Team as he indicated a preference for the Deputy Chief Agricultural Officer, Mrs. Arona Fahie-Forbes, to act on his behalf and indeed, she was a member of that Team.

I am disappointed to have heard in recent times the barrage of criticism from our farming community for establishment of the greenhouse technology. There seems to be a fear amongst some in the farming community that Government is taking the initiative to:

(a) ensure our food security;

(b) reduce the high level of imports of food; and

(c) have greater control over the quality of food that we consume.

Again I state that the green houses are being set up as a pilot project.  Farmers have already been told in our meetings that they would be able to monitor at will so that they may determine if this is a way they will choose to go for future production of food in their private businesses.
I now implore you the people of these Virgin Islands to unite in our efforts to strengthen our agricultural industry.  Although change comes in a variety of ways we must not waiver in our quest to secure the profitable and healthy production of food in our territory.  Food is a basic necessity to sustain human life and its production and management must create the united front that binds us together. 

The valuable contribution of traditional farmers employing traditional farming methods will never be forgotten and still has its place within the sector but we must look forward to future growth. 

It is Government’s mandate to have our local agricultural sector feed our islands and it is in the best interest of the Territory to embrace a method that will increase production during the current challenges facing the world.  It is time that our supermarket aisles are filled with “home-grown” produce and it is time that we begin to think of what will happen if for any reason the barges that deliver our food are interrupted in their movements.

The promise of new methods and new technology to substantially increase food production is within our reach.  We must seize the day and move forward. 

I wish to take this opportunity to invite any and all persons in the farming community who continue to have concerns to please come and see me at my Office so that we may sit down and address those concerns.  I have issued such an invitation to Mr. Fletcher Scatliffe who has indicated that he is the President of the BVI Farmers Association and has been a spokesman for farmers for some years; but unfortunately he has made it plain that his farming association will not meet with me unless I award certain crown lands for farming to persons of his choosing.  That is not the manner in which I run my Ministry.

I have also issued an invitation to Mr. Edmund Maduro who advocates on behalf of BVI farmers.  I have asked him to come to see me together with those farmers who wish to discuss the Greenhouse project and how they believe it will affect them.  I have had no response.  I consider this to be unfortunate since those good gentlemen insist that they operate in the best interest of farmers and the farming community.

Given these circumstances, I again issue an invitation to all farmers to come and see me for a more detailed discussion of the Government’s Agricultural Policy and so that we can address any concerns you may have with respect to greenhouse farming or any other issue. If the persons who style themselves as the spokesmen for farmers are unwilling to speak on behalf of the farmers, then the responsibility rests with you the farmers to come forward and let your voices be heard.  My door is always open and I implore you to come!

 Let’s boldly go forth and reap the waiting harvest!

Thank You and God Bless!