BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Department of Co-operatives in partnership with the local co-operative movement and allied agencies is celebrating the annual International Co-operative Day with a week of activities.
The celebration to cause awareness is being held under the theme “Sustainable Consumption and Production of Goods and Services”. The first Saturday in July each year marks the official Co-operative Day.
Minister with responsibility for Agriculture, in officially declaring the week opened said that this year’s theme is very instructive as it creates awareness and supports environmental protection which human beings are accountable for and should accept as sacred responsibility.
He added that a better earth should be passed on to the following generations of all living things if everyone is to live comfortably, which the theme promotes.
He said that an excellent example of what people’s action should be to ensure sustainable consumption and production of goods and services is organic farming.
“This is carried out by the Gideon Force Agricultural Co-operative in Old Road. Its members are engaged in organic farming; they use no chemicals to degenerate the environment. It is a joy to see local farmers doing things the natural way.
“Having referred to the example of the Gideon Force, I am encouraged to invite those entrepreneurs engaged in agro-processing, to embrace the natural concept and to ensure that the various fruits that are used for value added products were planted by others; especially those who engage in organic production.
“Plant fruit trees so you can have for future harvest and also to preserve the environment. Among other things, it will expand the habitat for birds and create foraging for bees,” he explained.
Minister Hamilton also encouraged the Fisherman’s Co-operatives to use their numbers to adapt and implement strategies to guarantee sustainable harvesting of fish, adding that they must resist the urge to harvest juvenile fish which has already led to the implementation of a Marine Management Area which will ensure the fish mature, to be able to reproduce so that their species are available for future generations.
“Where the reefs are overfished you are encouraged to use your membership to adapt different fishing strategies to allow the reefs to replenish with such alternatives as fish aggregating devices so that you can target ocean pelagic.
“Through this medium, I encourage all local co-operatives to come together and organize an annual retreat to discuss and implement collective actions for sustainable development of the local co-operative movement. Prove to yourselves that you are autonomous and independent, despite the fact that the Government stands ready to provide support to your innovative agendas,” Hamilton beseeched.
He encouraged all co-operative societies to actively participate in co-op week 2018 to show the public that the agricultural sector is an anchor for economic development.
The Co-operative Week kicked off with the staff of the Department of Co-operatives and members of the co-operatives worshipping at the Peoples Evangelistic Centre at Needsmust Estate on Sunday (July 1) and Monday (July 2) noteworthy authorities of the Co-operatives had talk with primary school students.
Today (July 3) an award ceremony will be held at Manhattan Garden to honour individuals and co-operatives for their contributions to the overall economic development. Representatives of co-operatives will appear on local radio stations to promote the local co-operative movement on Thursday (July 5).
“On Friday 6th July it is our flagship activity, which is a fair at Independence Square. I encourage the public to attend on Friday, come!! Buy and learn more about co-operatives,” he encouraged.
The week will wind down on Saturday (July 7) which is acknowledged as International Co-operative day, with the global message delivered by the Minister of Co-operatives.
“On that same day in Sandy Point, there will be the anniversary celebration of the re-opening of the public market which is one of the signal projects of the Agriculture Co-operatives of Sandy Point,” Hamilton said.
The Agricultural Minister saluted the contribution of a major pioneer in the local co-operative movement, Mr. Ingle Blackett of Nevis who is now deceased, stating that he was the first registrar of co-operatives who almost single handedly developed the strategic framework for what is now embraced as a thriving society of co-operatives.
This is the second year that Co-operative Week is celebrated. Hamilton noted that this year is expected to be more engaging than the previous, adding that he has high hopes for the celebrations and looks forward to the week with much anticipation.
