Farmers contribution recognised during Farmers’ Week 2010

Road Town, Tortola - Twenty participating farmers throughout the Territory received recognition for their work during the recently observed Farmers’ Week 2010.

Mr. Lester Maduro of Virgin Gorda was named the new Champion Producer for the Territory and also won the Best Livestock Producer award at the Virgin Gorda Agricultural Exhibition.

First time recipients were also awarded in four categories. L&C Poultry & Pig Plus received the Best Poultry Producer award; Best Orchard Producer went to Mr. Dwight Pickering and Mr. Robert Penn was judged Best Crop Producer and Best Mixed Producer.

Continuing a tradition started last year, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE awarded special prizes to the oldest and youngest participating producers on each island. 

For the second consecutive year, seven-year-old Ms. Shekinah Stoutt received the Premier’s award for the youngest participating producer and was also named the Territory’s 2010 Best Youngest Producer.  In addition, she received the award for the Best Backyard Garden. Her sister, Shelmoth Stoutt won the award for the Best All Round Effort.

Ninety one-year-old Mr. Orlando Stoutt of Long Bay received special recognition by both the Premier and the Department of Agriculture as the oldest active participating producer for Farmers’ Week 2010.

Speaking at the various agricultural exhibitions Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Hon. Omar W. Hodge thanked and encouraged more farmers to produce as a means of strengthening the local agricultural sector.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour and the Department of Agriculture use the Farmers’ Week activities to highlight and recognise local farmers.  With the continued strengthening of the agricultural sector they envision a robust agricultural industry which provides exposure, shared opportunities and networking capabilities among farmers, producers and consumers.