BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — DESPITE a positive outlook for its 2024 operations, the Department and Ministry of Agriculture in St. Kitts continues efforts to address persistent challenges impacting the sector.
Key obstacles have included climate change, inadequate storage capacity, and issues with feral animals, all of which are crucial to the ministry's goal of achieving the "25 by 2025" initiative.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Miguel Flemming, highlighted that climate change significantly affected crop production and noted difficulties with land preparation.
"Land preparation was a major challenge for us," Flemming said. "And so we were able to employed a new agricultural engineer who is with us today. And I think she's doing a wonderful job. And we have made significant improvement in land preparation services,
The ministry has also taken steps to mitigate the impact of climate change by repairing several greenhouse structures, with plans to restore additional facilities to boost controlled-environment farming.
Storage inadequacies were flagged as a major bottleneck. Flemming emphasized the importance of expanding storage capacity with individual chills for crops. This ensures optimal storage conditions, reducing spoilage and extending produce shelf life.
Furthermore, to prepare for regional market access, the ministry has imported specialized packaging materials. Traditional onion bags, which often damage produce, are being replaced with boxes tailored for commodities like cabbages, bell peppers, and carrots.
The ministry is also focused on changing the mindset of farmers through continuous training. In 2025, a Beginner Farmers Training program will launch to address gaps in agricultural knowledge and equip new and existing farmers with modern skills.
Flemming told reporters that they have undertaken a lot of training and that is expected to continue though the new year as the ministry gave a commitment to upskilling its workforce.
Feral animals, including monkeys and wild pigs, remain a long-standing issue. Flemming announced that measures are being developed to significantly reduce the population and associated damages, though specific plans were not disclosed.
As the ministry prepares to meet its ambitious goals, including the "25 by 2025" initiative, swift and effective resolutions to these challenges remain critical. With strategic planning and targeted interventions, the Agriculture Ministry aims to strengthen the sector and enhance its resilience for the future.
