Regional Council of Agriculture Ministers established

By Joyette Mills-Ward
Business Reporter-SKNVibes.com

Hon. Cedric Liburd

Liburd said the two main goals of the meeting were firstly to create the Council of Ministers of Agriculture within the PetroCaribe members and secondly, to initiate the process to start the funding for agriculture within the PetroCaribe membership’.

“It was discussed and agreed upon that two of the aims of this Council of Agriculture Ministers would be to identify funding for food production and innovative farming projects that seek to promote sustainable food production, distribution and exchange under principles of equity and cooperation. The Council will also establish priority areas for the New ALBA Agricultural agenda which promotes national public investments and cooperation alliances among member countries, regarding agricultural knowledge, science and technology the fishing industry and the impact brought about by climate change,” Liburd explained. ~~Adz:Right~~

He indicated that Elias Milano of Venezuela was elected to serve as Executive Secretary to the Council of Agriculture Ministers, to lead a team that ensures the collection of proposals by the various member states.

“The team comprises of two members from the region of Central America, four members from the Caribbean and two members from South America.  We elected Cuba to represent the Caribbean, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines and also the Dominican Republic. For South America the representatives will come from Suriname and Venezuela and ....Central America will be represented by Honduras and Nicaragua,

On behalf of the federation, Liburd informed that he submitted three projects for the Council’s consideration; the fruit and vegetable pack house, irrigation development for crop farmers and small ruminant development.

According to Minister Liburd, the proposals submitted for St Kitts and Nevis are to be considered at a follow-up meeting which will take place in Cuba later in August.