BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — WITH the curtains now closed on the 2025 Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), Minister of Agriculture, Samal Duggins, has praised local farmers and fishers for their continued efforts in advancing sustainability and resilience within the sector.
Speaking during today's (Oct. 6) sitting of Parliament, Duggins said the hard work of farmers often goes unnoticed despite their critical role in ensuring food security.
"So it is important for me as a minister to stand here publicly and give them their credit, give them their support, and let St. Kitts and Nevis know, and the world, that we have a very strong farming community, very strong farmers who are out there ploughing the fields to ensure that we have sustainability, to ensure that we have food," he said.
The minister also commended the organizers of this year’s CWA, which brought together agricultural experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the Caribbean and beyond.
“Last week, the entire region converged on all shores to celebrate and speak on advancements in agriculture," Duggins noted. "And over that week, we saw quite a bit of dialogue happening. But we also saw where countries were quite amazed from all over the region, from across the world. Argentina, Canada, Nigeria, and others were all here and quite impressed and quite amazed with what is happening in St. Kitts and Nevis."
He also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Jerome Thomas, who pioneered the idea of hosting the Agricultural Open Day, now marking its 30th anniversary. Duggins emphasized that “this year, we celebrated our 30th anniversary, and we celebrated that in grand style. And even there, at that Open Day, we had quite a bit of the persons within the sector of agriculture displaying what St. Kitts agriculture is like in today's health. And it was a wonderful display.”
Duggins extended special recognition to fishers, highlighting their dedication and contribution to national food supply.
“I give them all the credit in the world," he added. " I must also recognise the fishers who brave the waves daily to ensure we have fresh seafood to eat as well. And so today, I wanted to put on public record my own congratulations to the team for a wonderful week, but also etched into these hearts how much I appreciate the work being done by the community.”
