LIBURD PROUD OF DEAL WITH MARRIOTT
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Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Cooperatives Hon. Cedric Liburd said he wants farmers to be millionaires |
Basseterre, St. Kitts: Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Cooperatives Hon. Cedric Liburd said the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and local farmers represents the fulfillment of a promise he made to nationals.
“The development of [diversified] agriculture has been the focus of my ministry,” he said, noting that this was emphasized even more after St. Kitts and Nevis exited the sugar industry in 2005.
“As early as 2001, [government] started talks with hotels across the country to explore the possibilities of [having] farmers provide fresh produce to these establishments.”
“Today is our pinnacle experience,” Minister Liburd told the gathering comprising government officials, Marriott employees and local farmers assembled for a brief ceremony to mark the signing of the agreement on the weekend.
Minister Liburd congratulated the St. Kitts Marriott Resort for entering into this agreement with the local crop producers. He noted that this would help to boost food security and reduce the costly food importation bill.
~~Adz:Right~~ The Ministry of Agriculture will provide technical and management assistance to the farmers as they professionally package their produce and supply them to the Marriott.
“We [government] … want our farmers to be millionaires and we will do whatever is possible to make sure that happens,” Minister Liburd declared.