BASSETERRE St.Kitts, February 16th, 2012 -- Senior Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris yesterday toured a number of sites on which food security and nutrition projects are being pursued in collaboration with the internationally renowned Mc Gill University in Canada and the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad.
The tour got started at Belle Vue estate where land earmarked for forage development is being established. The aim is to develop high protein animal feed, targeting large and small ruminants for example, cattle, sheep and goat. If successful, this project will lead to an alternative source of animal food and a resultant increase in the market weight of animals.
Four livestock farmers are participating in the pilot project. The other projects are located at Mansion and St Peters. At Mansion Estate, Dr Harris met with participating farmers. Very positive reviews were given by the farmers.
Here, some thirteen farmers will be engaged in cyclic production of selected fruits and vegetables including pineapples, papayas, string beans, tomatoes, melons, carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkins. Their efforts would be supported by a 1 million gallon dam from which water would be supplied to their farms during the dry season. The objective of the irrigation component is to demonstrate the impact of irrigation on dry season cultivation.
At St Peters, the Senior Minister toured the site for the production of forage targeted at sheep and goats. Dr Harris was accompanied on the tour by Mr Ashton Stanley, Acting Permanent Secretary, Mr Thomas Jackson, Acting Director of Agriculture, Mr Melvin James, Project Coordinator, Dr Tracey Challenger, Head of Livestock and her support team, Extension Officers from the Crop Program and Compliance Officers.
Dr Harris informed the farmers that he has prayed for the success of the project “we are fortunate to be one of four countries namely; St Lucia, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and St Kitts and Nevis, selected to participate in this project which has been called “Improving the Nutrition and Health of CARICOM Populations”.
The project is aimed at tackling nutritional problems of overdependence on imported energy dense food that has created a paradox of obesity, under-nutrition and related health problems in the Caribbean. The project should be a win-win situation for all stakeholders with several benefits accruing to the farmers”. Dr Harris said that the increase and extended production cycle would lead to increased output and result in higher incomes to the farmers.
This is said, would be a good reward to the farmers who have been making valiant efforts to increase our national food security and improve on our nutrition in the Country. The farmers expressed gratitude to Minister Harris for his high interest and great efforts in improving their welfare.
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