BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH the number of agro-processed goods made within St. Kitts and the growing global demand for food security, plans are afoot to expand the Agro-Processing Unit on the island in the not too distant future.
The plans were briefly mentioned recently by Natasha Daniel, Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture. She was at the time speaking at the launch of a marketing workshop organized by the Ministry.
“The Government of Team Unity has embarked on a project to expand the Agro-Processing Unit which will commence shortly. This Government has seen the potential of the unit (which) from the time of operation has developed 26 products which are sold to 36 businesses such as Marriott Hotel, RAMS Trading and Valu Mart. This forms part of the Government’s vision for overseeing the expansion of food processing as a value-added industry,” she informed.
Senior Agricultural Officer Ian Chapman provided further information on the project, indicating that it is estimated to cost approximately $250,000 and would see additional wings to the current structure of the Unit.
“We should be adding about three more wings plus the storage of chills, freezers and some more operation line space for the agro-processors to carry out their work. There is a continued need for food preservation and to cut down on food wastage which is currently happening worldwide. Because if you can add value and increase the shelf life of food, it makes food security more accessible in different forms because then you could preserve different commodities.”
Chapman said while he hoped for the project to commence before the year ends, the tendering process has to first be completed.
“We are still awaiting public works to finalise with sending out for the tenure to do the work, so I am hopeful that it would begin before the ending of this year and roll over into the first quarter of next year.”
