BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS the 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) continues in Basseterre, Acting Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley has called for a shift from traditional farming practices to modern methods better suited to climate challenges.
Hanley told regional and international stakeholders that technology and innovation must drive the sector forward, as is being implemented within St. Kitts and Nevis.
"We know that traditional farming methods alone will not get us where we need to be. That is why we are introducing new technologies and practices, hydroponics, aquaponics, climate-smart farming, improved irrigation, and renewable energy to power farms," he said
He cautioned that agriculture remains a difficult sector, noting farmers face hurricanes, droughts, pest outbreaks, rising costs, financing issues, and market access challenges.
"But if there is one thing I know is that the Caribbean people do not back down from any challenges. We rise to them. Agriculture tested us before, and it will test us again. But we are resilient people, and together we will find solutions each time...Let us use it to strengthen regional cooperation, to share knowledge and best practices, to recommit ourselves to making agriculture a sector of choice, a sector of pride, and a sector of prosperity," Hanley added.
Food security and developing the next generation of farmers remain central to the region’s agenda, with the Acting Prime Minister outlining new initiatives.
"We are supporting aquaculture, recognising that the ocean, too, is part of our food basket. We are building out agri-parks, expanding livestock production, and ensuring our farmers have access to financing and training," he said.
He also urged young people to see agriculture as an opportunity. "But let me pause here to say, agriculture is not only about technology and investment. It is about people. It is about inspiring more of our young men and women to see agriculture not as something their grandparents did, but as something they can do to build a future for themselves. Too often, young people hear the word agriculture and immediately picture backbreaking labour under a hot sun. That is not the agriculture of the future.”
Agriculture Minister Samal Duggins echoed the call, describing the sector as critical to the region’s future. He also highlighted that the agriculture is not just another sector, "it is the very life blood of our people".
