CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – FOUR Nevisians were on Friday (Oct. 16) honoured for their contributions over the years to the success of the agriculture industry on the island.
Wilroy Gerald, Mervyn Tyson, Joseph James and Dominic Nelson-Ashley were recognised at a simple ceremony held on Marker Street, Charlestown in celebration of World Food Day 2009.
Gerald was rewarded for his outstanding contribution in livestock production, Tyson for crop production, James for work in the fishing industry and Nelson-Ashley for agro-processing.
Minister of Agriculture the Hon. Robelto Hector, who helped present the awards, said the government’s commitment to agriculture is evidenced by the recent completion of the agro-processing plant and the procurement of equipment for Phase Two of that project. He said that equipment was acquired with the assistance of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
The Minister also mentioned other achievements including the expansion of cotton and onion production, and the formation of the Cotton Farmers’ Cooperative.
“In this dry year, I am happy to see that the farmers have delivered. The department stuck to the task of ensuring food security for this little island.”
Minister Hector also pointed out that there has been an increase of 20 percent in production on government estate, expansion of the school assistance programme, continuance of the work attachment programme, and an expansion of valued products at the abattoir.
Hector encouraged fishermen to support the staff, members and the board at the fishing complex which, he said, government made a great effort to reopen. He said the fishing industry contributes some $6M to the economy and government would want to ensure that the island maximise the benefits.
The Minister also revealed that government has received funds for the rehabilitation of the Charlestown market, which is long overdue.
Permanent Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Kelvin Daly and his counterpart in the Ministry of Tourism, Tyrone O’Flaherty, also delivered remarks on the occasion which was used to launch the Backyard Garden Competition and as a sale for product of the Agriculture Department.
According to O’Flaherty, agriculture and tourism are dependent on each other. He pointed out that if the foreign exchange earned has to be spent on agriculture imports then the economy would not benefit. He said this is the reason for the backyard competition, to encourage more dependence on local produce.
Persons entering the competition, which culminates in tourism month 2010, must plant at least three different crops but could have as many as 10.
