BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Feb. 12.2018 – DIRECTOR of Agriculture, Melvin James has reported that 2017 was a challenging year for the livestock sector on St. Kitts, and they are working to rectify problems faced.
Reviewing the 2017 performance, the Director pointed out that overall, the Agriculture Sector saw an increase in output in relation to targets set, however, there were no bright lights for the livestock sector.
He stated that when compared with the previous year, there was a decline, and that there were challenges faced specifically with poultry meat, which caused the total output to decline.
Though he did not have all the data at the time of the interview to provide specific challenges in relation to poultry meat, he noted that it is for that reason they are now targeting livestock entities going forward.
The target of working with those establishments, according to the Director, is to have an increased push that will rebound to the total outputs that are being produced for the market.
Reflecting on the biggest hurdle faced in 2017, the Agriculture Director explained that the two Hurricanes played a factor in the final figures for the year.
He disclosed that they lost over 2000 birds, sheep and goats, along with cattle.
According to James, the hurricanes brought with them another headache for the sector.
“Although, many of them may not have died, we had a problem with ticks. The ticks love it when it is moist and cool; the period of prolonged rainfall and overcast conditions caused the ticks to multiply much more. So, the animals were in poor conditions.”
Quantifying the extent of the hurricane damage, James stated that they had approximately $5 million in losses across the entire sector – both crop and livestock – in St. Kitts.
However, the sector has been receiving assistance with the government playing an integral role; while international donor agencies also chipped in with monetary contributions.
The department will be holding a Planning and Review Meeting on February 27, where a number of key stakeholders will gather to charter a way forward.
