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| Junior Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture in Nevis Hon Livingston Herbert. | |
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Charlestown Nevis (October 17, 2005) -- Junior Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture Hon Livingston Herbert says Nevis like other members of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has been encouraged to hone the practice of linking agriculture to the other sectors of the island's economy and to consolidate and strengthen linkages that have already been established.
He made the comment on Monday in a televised addressed to mark the 25 anniversary of World Food Day which was observed on Sunday October 16, 2005 under the theme Agriculture and Intercultural Dialogue it's our common Heritage.
Mr. Herbert said that the success of honing the practices of linking agriculture was dependent on people, their attitude, expertise and skills and the use of their financial resources as they mingled with others.
As a people we want to preserve things indigenous and inherent in the way of life of the many nationalities among us. We are challenged therefore, to have respect for each other's culture and seek to find areas that are common in our desire to promote harmony among our friends and neighbours, he said adding that agriculture and intercultural dialogue are a part of the common heritage which reminds people that agriculture is more than an economic activity.
The Minster quoted an FAO article titled Agriculture's Importance Today as saying that agriculture is a way of life, as heritage, as cultural identity, as an ancient pact with nature none of which have a price tag. He noted other non monetary contributions of agriculture include habitat and landscape, soil conservation, watershed management, carbon sequestration and conservation of biodiversity. Farm tourism he said has become popular in many developed and developing countries as city dwellers look for a peaceful getaway and take new interest in the origins of their food supply.
According to Minister Herbert, FAO celebrates World Food Day annually to increase public awareness on the issue of hunger in the world; to join with people the world over in strengthening the struggle for freedom from hunger; offer countries an occasion to highlight the crucial importance of food and agriculture to their people; draw attention to achievements in food and agricultural development and to encourage co-operation among developing countries.
In Nevis the annual event is being observed with a week of activities including the sale of plants at reduced rates from the Prospect Agricultural Station; talks in schools, the launch of a poster contest ahead of its 12th annual Agricultural Open Day and an exhibition. The week of activities will culminate with the main event, an intercultural food fair at the Villa in Charlestown on Friday October 21, 2005.
The minister urged the public to support the week of activities and is hopeful that the activities would bring about a new resolve concerning agriculture among Nevisians.
It is my hope that as we support the activities, this year's celebration will ignite new resolve that will enable us to see agriculture in its most diverse form. It is my hope as well, that dialogue will intensify among the different cultures among us here in Nevis, the region and the world at large in order to maintain and better utilise the resources of agriculture in a sustainable way, he said.
