Javascript Menu by Deluxe-Menu.com

SKNBuzz Radio - Strictly Local Music Toon Center
My Account | Contact Us  

Our Partner For Official online store of the Phoenix Suns Jerseys

 Home  >  Headlines  >  NEWS
Posted: Wednesday 21 October, 2020 at 1:36 PM

Agri Minister calls on farmers to be reasonable with prices

By: Jermine Abel, SKNVibes.com

    Urges citizens and residents to eat more local produce

     

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - TACKLING the price of locally produced goods on the market selves is an area upon which Minister of Agriculture Alexis Jeffers has set his sights to ensure citizens and residents eat more homegrown supplies.
     
    Over the years, agriculture officials have received significant complaints from residents about the prices and quality of locally-grown produce, forcing many to depend heavily on imported supplies either from the United States or boats that bring supplies to the Federation on a weekly basis. 
     
    While acknowledging that farmers need to make monies from the sector, the Minister reminded that there is a push for people to eat more local produce to maintain a healthy island, and the high prices should not be a focus for farmers.
     
    He disclosed that there have been complaints from society about the prices for locally-produced good. 
     
    “We all need to make money from agriculture. Of course, yes! But the price is something that we have to be cognizant of to make sure that we are asking our people to eat locally. So, the price should be reasonable so that they are convinced that eating locally is the way to go,” Jeffers explained.

     

    The dependence on imported foods was amplified during the COVID-19 lockdowns in St. Kitts, where there were shortages of food supplies on the shelves of various supermarkets, forcing Customs officials to work around the clock to clear the goods from boats that brought supplies for businesses to restock. 

     

    Over the last several years, local and regional health officials had also joined in the chorus of pushing for residents to purchase local produce as the Caribbean food import bill continues to skyrocket.

     

    Economists had projected that by the end of this year, the food import bill would be between US$8-$10B.
        
    Speaking from a health perspective, the Minister intimated: “I don’t think the price should always be it, because I have said to persons in Nevis, ‘you may pay a little now for overseas products but you will pay more in the end for your health’”.

     

    In the Federation, health officials have, over the last several years, called for citizens to watch their diets, eat more locally-produced goods and minimise sugary beverages and imported goods.  

     

    However, with prices remaining high and complaints continuing to pour in, the Minister said it is no time to “leave it up to chance”.

     

    “Let us be reasonable with our prices,” he added.    

     

Copyright © 2024 SKNVibes, Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy   Terms of Service