St. Kitts and Nevis says FAO support for development of the Federation’s agricultural industry is critical
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| St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Cedric Liburd and Minister of Agriculture in the Nevis Island Administration, Hon. Robelto Hector at the 34th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 2007 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis is placing increasing emphasis on the development of agriculture as a major component of the twin-island Federation’s economic diversification and continued support from the Rome-based Food and Agricultural Organisation is critical to its success.
So says the Federation’s Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Cedric Liburd at the 34th Session of the FAO Conference in Rome. Minister Liburd was accompanied by his colleague in the Nevis Island Administration, the Hon. Robelto Hector.
“The development of the sector has six broad policy objectives which are to:
promote sustainable development of the agricultural and rural communities; increase the competitiveness of the agricultural sector; accelerate diversification of the production base and exports; increase food production, enhance food security and improve the nutritional status of the population; strengthen inter-sectoral linkages; and improve income distribution and contribute to poverty alleviation,” Minister Liburd told delegates.
He said as a small developing nation, “the support from the FAO is critical for the agricultural sector.”
He said that over the past 10 years support has been received for several projects. “The support from the FAO through telefood and
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| St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Cedric Liburd, addressing the 34th Session of the Food and Agriculture organisation(FAO) in Rome, Italy |
the TCP Facility has greatly assisted my country’s agricultural development including placing focus on vegetable production at the primary school level. My country has also recently started to benefit from the South-South Cooperation Programme in the Caribbean,” said Minister Liburd.
He added that the FAO has been very useful in helping developing countries and countries in transition to modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries so as to ensure improved nutrition for all. The Caribbean region and indeed my own small nation of St. Kitts and Nevis has benefited significantly from the operations of the FAO.
Minister Liburd noted that in St. Kitts and Nevis, the sugar industry which dominated the economic activities for over three hundred experienced severe difficulties over the last three decades due to falling sugar prices, rising operating costs, aging equipment and low production efficiencies.
In 2004, the agricultural sector contributed approximately 5% to the GDP which was only about one-third of its contribution 20 years ago. Due to high financial losses the sugar industry in St. Kitts and Nevis was closed on July 31, 2005 resulting in major social and economic consequences including the loss of direct employment for over 1200 workers in the industry, representing about 8% of the total work force and over 50% of the agricultural labour force; loss of output estimated at 2.7% of GDP; and the gradual decay of rural communities as a result of the loss of wages.
He pointed out that in 2006, the FAO assisted St. Kitts and Nevis in the form of emergency support for agricultural enterprise development that has been geared towards the workers who have been displaced through the closure of the sugar industry. This support has assisted the Government in its post-sugar industry rehabilitation programme through technical assistance and the supply of the necessary inputs for the establishment of crop and livestock production enterprises. ~~Adz:Left~~
“The most affected displaced workers have benefited directly from the support. Significant improvements are also evident in the critical support institutions. This support has assisted us to improve the food security situation for the families of the displaced workers as well as the rural communities in which they live,” said Minister Liburd, who disclosed that the output from the farmers who benefited from the emergency assistance contributed markedly to the 68% increase in food crop production that was recorded during the first quarter of this year when compared with 2006.
He also noted that the Caribbean region has benefited from the implementation of the CARICOM/CARIFORUM Food security project which was funded by the Government of Italy and implemented by the FAO. This project falls under the CARIFORUM Regional Special Programme for Food Security which is part of the FAO special Programme for Food Security.
“Implementation of the Food Security Project has helped to improve the food security situation of several countries by increasing the availability and access to quality assured food products,” said Minister Liburd, who noted that under the project, St. Kitts and Nevis has introduced best practices in vegetable production systems.
“The project has successfully demonstrated how farm productivity can be improved through efficient irrigation resulting in significant improvements in vegetable production. The Food Security Project has also strengthened and deepened relations with regional organisations that are partners in food security. The broader dimensions of food security including health, nutrition and education are now on the regional agenda and were discussed in a special forum of Ministers of Agriculture, and stakeholders during October of this year.
The focus was also observed at a Ministers of Health and stakeholders Regional Summit held in Trinidad and Tobago and chaired by His Excellency Dr. the Hon Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
“During this special Event the focus was on chronic non-communicable diseases and other food / diet related illnesses. We are pleased to learn that the Food Security Project will have another phase and we look forward to even greater benefits and impact on nutrition and safe foods at the national level,” said Minister Liburd, who emphasised that FAO’s support in the CARICOM region is critical for its development.
“The partnership with the CARICOM Secretariat to host a successful Agriculture Donor’s Conference in Trinidad and Tobago during June of this year is highly appreciated. As you are aware resource mobilization for sustainable agriculture and rural development is one of the regional priorities. Also the support to prepare about fifty investment projects and national investment programmes for CARICOM countries has enabled the region to document opportunities for agricultural development,” said Minister Liburd, who commended the FAO on the conduct of the recent independent external evaluation which was the first in its 62 year history.
“The evaluation was charged to provide answers to two pertinent questions which ask - Does the world need the FAO and - Does FAO need to change to be fit for its purposes and challenges in this 21st century? The evaluation has provided some 110 recommendations and about 290 suggested actionable outputs. We wish to urge support for the decentralization process and look forward to strengthening of the Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean,”
concluded Minister Liburd.
