Department of Agriculture to host 4th annual Fruit Festival
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| Agriculture workers at the Department of Agriculture’s booth during the 2007 Fruit Fair |
CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (JUNE 24, 2008) -- Agriculture Minister in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Hon. Robelto Hector, on June 22, 2008, offered congratulations to the organisers of the fourth annual Fruit Festival, to be hosted by the Department and Ministry of Agriculture on June 26, 2008 at The Villa Grounds in Charlestown.
He said the Fair which would be celebrated under the theme “Fruits – an essential part of a healthy diet”, comes at a time when the price of food globally was on the rise and so too there had been an increase in several food related health concerns. The event he noted would assist Nevis in its quest for food security.
“I want to congratulate the Department and the Ministry in their effort to sensitise Nevis on what’s going on in the world and how important agriculture and food security is to Nevis,” Minister Hector said.
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| Minister of Agriculture in the Nevis Island Administration Hon. Robelto Hector enjoys locally produced fruit at another Department of Agriculture event at The Villa |
Director of Agriculture Dr. Kelvin Daly told the Department of Information in an interview on June 23, 2008, that the Department, through the Fruit Festival, sought to educate residents about the different kinds of fruits produced on the island as well as their importance.
He added that while the premise was the same as in previous years, there was a specific goal to revisit the island’s history in terms of food production on the island.
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Director of Agriculture on Nevis Dr. Kelvin Daly
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In that regard, banana production would be the focus for the event and heavy emphasis would be placed on its versatility.
Dr. Daly underscored the importance of local produce, he appealed to Nevisians to continue to grow more local foods.
The Director also spoke of the benefits that the Festival would bring to the farmers.
“It is free advertising for them as the Department sponsors the entire event,” Dr. Daly said.
He added that over the years, the island’s agro-processors had reaped the most benefits from the Festival.
“The Department has always put on a good show so we cannot perceive anything less than good support,” he said.
The festival is slated to commence from 9am till 5pm. ~~Adz:Right~~
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