BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Agro-Processing Unit – located at Needsmust – was the training ground for 15 individuals who recently successfully completed the 2012 Agro-Processing Workshop and have been commended and congratulated on their achievements.
The workshop was held from July 17–31 and encompassed approximately 30 hours of intense hands-on training in the different aspects of agro-processing, including labelling, cost management, marketing, packaging and actual production.
The participants – ably taught by Agro-processing specialist with the Taiwan Technical Mission – Anling Lee – took to the unit twice weekly and were taught about a number of fruits and vegetables including star fruit/carambola and sweet potato, and how they can be craftily transformed into jams, juices and dried or canned products.
The activity underscored the importance of “eating local” while promoting the Ministry of Agriculture’s thrust towards food security within the Federation.
A ceremony marking the official conclusion of the workshop and hailing the accomplishments of the participants was held late last week at the unit, which was attended by Taiwanese Ambassador His Excellency Miguel Li-Jey Tsao and Senior Minister with responsibility for Agriculture, the Honourable Dr. Timothy Harris.
The participants were fitted with certificates of completion, handed to them by the Agriculture Minister.
Lee – in congratulating the trainees – reminded that the skills they would have honed and the lessons they would have learnt during the workshop are applicable in whatever business adventure they would embark on or their everyday lives.
The Ambassador underscored Lee’s sentiments and pledged this country’s support to the trainees in their future agro-processing exploits.
“I notice that some of you who attended this programme probably have a business idea in your mind. I hope that after having received this intensive training programme, you are sufficiently equipped to venture out and act on whatever idea you might have. And I wish to encourage all the trainees to keep learning and keep dreaming big. This is not wishful thinking. One day your product can be sold not only to local consumers but also to cruise passengers, regional markets and international markets as well.
“You can be assured if you try hard enough you will always have the support of your government, your Ministry of Agriculture, Embassy and Technical Mission of the Republic of Taiwan.”
Dr. Harris – in delivering special remarks – said he was pleased that such a workshop was organised, especially because it promotes a sector within the Federation that has immense potential.
He however noted that in order for that to be realised, local businesses, individuals and groups would have to appreciate the need to support locally-produced products.
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