BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FARMERS should now be more fired up to enter the fields following a very motivational speech by Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris at yesterday’s (Mar. 30) Agriculture Annual Review and Planning Meeting held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
The Agriculture Minister told the gathering that now is the time for fierce urgency for action if the Federation’s agriculture industry were to make progress.
“Now is the time for us to put our money where our mouth is; now to work in unity, if not, in unison. Now is the time for policy makers to think anew about the strategic repositioning of agriculture in Caribbean societies.
“Globally, people understand that there can be no civilisation without food. We expect the world’s population to grow by near 50 percent from 6.9 billion people whose nutritional needs must be met by agriculture to 9.2 billion by 2050. In the next five years, the world’s population will be 7.7 billion more mouths to feed. FAO predicts that to satisfy the demand of 9.2 billion people, world agriculture production must increase by 70 percent. Agriculture in developing countries like ours must play a greater role than it does today in contributing to global food security, nutrition and distribution,” Harris said.
According to the Senior Minister, 2011 must mark a year of deliberate action for agriculture and farmers.
“This year, I want the focus to be on learning and doing more for the farmers and the agriculture sector. Hence, our theme speaks to ‘Achieving Agricultural Impact through Effective Consultation and Action’. I value your contribution. I want to hear from you. I have directed that the programme provides more opportunity to hear from you. It is not about what the ministry wants, it is what we collectively agree to pursue. That is why we have allocated approximately two hours for feedback, input, rebuttal and advice from you the farmers and our partners. Action is highly important; action is what the agriculture sector needs,” he emphasised.
The Minister also reminded farmers that working together, ordinary people could perform extraordinary feats. “They can push things that come into their hands a little higher up…a little further towards the heights of excellence”.
“You can do better if you work together. Share ideas with each other regarding farm experiences and even life experiences. Build trust between yourselves, purchase sometimes in bulk, set up cooperatives, believe in it and work to make it a success. Work with each other; the other farmer may not be the enemy. Henry Forde reminds us, ‘Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is a success,’” he advised.
The Agriculture Minister also advised the gathering that they must help themselves, because “an entire country is depending on you. The truth is that the government cannot finance all your needs. You, then working together, being innovative and smart, have to do what you can to survive and do well”.
