Agricultural production on the rise
By Shawn Seabrookes
Senior Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| Hon. Cedric Liburd, Minister of Agriculture and Housing |
Basseterre, St. Kitts: Minister of Agriculture and Housing, the Hon. Cedric Liburd says that the agricultural sector on the island continues to improve, especially as efforts are being made to decrease the island’s high food import bill.
He made the disclosure at a press conference at Government Headquarters, on 1th November.
To support his claims, the Minister revealed that the production of the main food crops increased by 68%, or an estimated EC$1.3 million, in the first half of 2007 compared to the same period last year.
Minister Liburd explained that local famers are capitalizing on assistance from the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the local Government and Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).
In addition to the sector of agro-processing, which is mainly supported by the Taiwanese, there has also been an experimental venture into hot pepper production.
A testament to the increase in local crop production was the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the St. Kitts Farmers’ Cooperative Society and the St. Kitts Marriott, which is an agreement for the hotel to be supplied with fresh local produce.
Additionally, meat production is enjoying satisfactory times in terms of production.
~~Adz:Right~~ Minister Liburd noted that local beef production is meeting local demands and there has also been an increase in goat meat and mutton production.
In comparison to the first half of 2006, beef production rose from 100,000 pounds to 135,000 pounds.
Twenty five thousand pounds of goat meat was produced in the first half of 2007 compared to 18,000 pounds in 2006 while mutton rose from 13,000 to 15,000 pounds.
The objective now is to produce goat meat and mutton to satisfy local consumption levels.
The Minister concluded by stating that he anticipated agricultural production will continue to increase, as his Government continues to push for diversification.
