BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LOCAL farmers received a boost yesterday (Dec. 3) when the Taiwanese government, through its Ambassador, handed over an Agro-processing Unit and a Demonstration Farm to St. Kitts Ministry of Agriculture.
The Handover Ceremony, which was held at the Demonstration Farm on the Kim Collins Highway, signalled the assistance that would be given to farmers to boost their manufacturing capacity of locally produced goods to final products.
In his presentation, Taiwanese Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, Miguel Li-Jay Tsao stated that his government is happy to continue the long-standing bi-lateral partnership with the twin-island Federation in the area of agriculture, which has been in existence for over 30 years.
Ambassador Tsao stressed that the Agro-processing Unit and the Demonstration Farm are a pilot project between the two countries for bigger and better diplomatic relations.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that together we can make agriculture production together. We can enjoy a lot of high and prosperity,” he told the gathering.
He commended the Agriculture Ministry for its continued support in the drive to have sustainable food development on the island and encouraged them to be more food secured.
Minister of Agriculture Minister, Senator Nigel Carty stated that the event is a key success in the milestone for the country and it calendar of activities for 2013, adding that it fits into their plan for food substance and food security on the island.
“This handing over is a visible signpost on our journey to food and nutrition security, and the outright and direct control of the two facility fits into our plan for sustainable agriculture,” Carty said.
He thanked the Taiwanese government for its continued support and investment in the Federation and noted the years within which the friendship has grown.
“Like now and in the early years after national independence, Taiwan has been our best ally in our quest for agriculture development; thanks to you Ambassador for your vision, your assistance and your support.”
Minister Carty reassured the people and the government of Taiwan that St. Kitts and Nevis would continue to partner with them in the field of agriculture.
He explained that this is one of the first projects that his government and that of its partnering Asian counterpart have collaborated on.
Carty Further informed that it was then Director of Agriculture Kenneth Martin who was tasked with the responsibility of making such project a reality and, because of that, he was awarded for his sterling contribution in the field of agriculture.
In the initial stage the Demonstration Farm primarily focused on vegetables, fruits and flour productions while the practices, he noted, were only novelty ideas to all staff members and farmers alike. But with technical assistance that the country received from the Republic of China on Taiwan has boosted the farming capacity of local farmers and added economical development for the Federation.
Carty advised that farmers and the country must now reflect from where the Federation has come and where it is positioned to go in the future, as the development with the assistance of the ROC on Taiwan and that “one should not be unreasonable and unthankful”.
He highlighted some of the areas in which the agriculture farms have developed around the country with the help from overseas investment.
“Rotillers and rotovators, this was in steep contrast to the four-wheel tractors commonly used in the sugar industry back then. Further, overhead sprinkler systems which seems archaic was replaced with the more modern and efficient dripper system.”
The Agriculture Minister expressed the view that the overall potential for agro-processing is extensive and would reduce wastage and enhance security as well as improve life for farmers in the low income bracket.
