Nevis, West Indies. ?A Non-Tourist-Trap? Blog About Nevis.

Hydroponic Farm In Nevis

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 02, 2012 (CUOPM)

What is destined to become a major tourism attraction on St. Kitts and Nevis and the Caribbean, is designed to lure the international visitor who want to escape in revelry.

Pointing out that the international visitor is not monolithic, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said the international visitor who comes to St. Kitts and Nevis is not monolithic.

“Some are interested only in sea and sand.  Others in history and architecture.  Still others seek ‘escape’ in revelry. There is a significant segment of travelers, however, that is interested in nature, in traditional herbs and medicines, in the flora and fauna of the countries that they visit.  And this Agro-Tourism Demonstration Farm was designed specifically with that segment of the international travelling community in mind,” said Prime Minister at the ground breaking ceremony at Sir Gilles. (Here is a link to the demonstration video: http://bit.ly/wRL0du Dr. Douglas said the agro-tourism project will present to the young people another face of agriculture to which precious lands can be put to planting and growing that can be an important and meaningful source of revenue and inspiration.

“Indigenous plants from St. Kitts and Nevis will be showcased alongside indigenous plants from Taiwan. And special plants whose medicinal properties were long known by our ancient African forebears will be growing alongside plants whose medicinal properties were long known by the ancient Asian forebears of our Taiwanese partners.  Friendship and partnership at its best. Sugar, the plant so indelibly woven into our history, will also have a place here – a place of fun and challenge in the carefully designed cane-field labyrinth, shaped like our two countries, from which locals and visitors alike will try to find their way,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

Dr. Douglas, the Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher 6 noted the project, which had its genesis when he led an Official Visit to Taiwan last year, in search of expanded opportunities for Kittitians and Nevisians, said it has borne fruit.

“Some 20 acres has been set aside for this magnificent project that will draw nationals from across the Federation, and travelers from around the world, to learn from and enjoy the wonders of nature in this carefully laid out facility. Today, after almost one year of meticulous planning and preparation, we open the preparatory office,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who added:

“Ours is a Government of vision.  For us, liberation means expanded opportunities.  Empowerment means broadened horizons for Kittitians and Nevisians in all fields of endeavor.  And this project pushes forward this very important mandate.”

The project will take two years to complete and is located just opposite to the sub-station of the St. Kitts Scenic Railway.

Related posts:

1. New St. Kitts – Nevis Tourism Attraction To Open
2. St. Kitts – Nevis Committed To Agro-Tourism
3. St. Kitts – Nevis Launches Agro-Tourism Farm
4. St. Kitts – Nevis – Communist China Builds New Tourism Project
5. St. Kitts – Nevis Tourism Minister At Caribbean Tourism Summit

Locally Grown Nevis Produce

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 02, 2012 (SKNIS)

Tourism in St. Kitts and Nevis is expected to rise to higher heights when a new Agro-Tourism Demonstration Farm is completed at Sir Gillies, Sandy Point.

In an auspicious groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday afternoon, chairperson – Acting Agriculture Permanent Secretary Ashton Stanley said this modern agro-processing facility will offer a true experience of agro-tourism and its expertise to tourists.

The Taiwan International Corporation Development Fund (ICDF) funded farm facility saw evolution over the years. The Taiwanese Agricultural Experimental Farm became the Needsmust Demonstration Farm, and is now the Agro-Tourism Demonstration Farm Co-operation Project. Relocation of the farm was considered to prevent contamination of the Basseterre valley aquifer. The identification of a suitable plot of land in the Newton Ground area met with Cabinet’s approval in 2009.

The Republic of China’s Resident Ambassador His Excellency Mr. Miguel Tsao shared a very similar vision with the Federation’s Prime Minister the Right Honourable Dr Denzil Douglas to create a new multifunctional farm that would suit the locality and promote economic growth. After acquisition of some 20 acres of farm land at Sir Gillies, work began on fencing and laying of irrigation pipes, construction of a 15,000 gallon reservoir, a two story office building, a work shed and a six room dormitory – all of which were completed by 2010.

In early 2011, a feasibility study team comprising one of Taiwan’s top Tourism professors, the Chief Executive Officer of Taiwan’s Leisure Farm Development Association and the Executive Head of Taiwan Power Corporation arrived in St. Kitts to discuss evaluation and design of a blueprint for green energy for the Agro-Tourism Farm.

In brief remarks at the groundbreaking, Ambassador Tsao said St. Kitts and Nevis has many characteristics conducive to the promotion of an agro-tourism farm.

“Since I assume the office as Ambassador to this beautiful country, I have personally experienced the breathtaking scenery and the captivating landscape that the Federation has to offer, and those are indeed worthy in promoting the agro-tourism farm” said Ambassador Tsao.

He also said this type of farm will contain features that will merge the two cultures of St. Kitts and Nevis with Taiwan.

The Honourable Richard Skerritt, Minister of Tourism said the project, is unlike any other in this part of the Caribbean.

“It is not only a perfect illustration of educational entertainment and a scenic, commercial and natural attraction, but also an excellent opportunity to continue further diversification of the economy” said Minister Skerritt.

Minister of Agriculture Honourable Dr Timothy Harris expressed pride in the fact that this facility will move Agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis to another level.

“Today we move our corporation to another level – agro-tourism” said Dr Harris. “By vesting in an agricultural field station, a modern greenhouse and a Taiwanese-type Teahouse, and offering an opportunity for our tourists to receive tours of the farm and experience the rustic reality of farm life in St. Kitts and Nevis.”

He further noted that this facility is perfectly positioned to give visitors the opportunity to enjoy a real agro-tourism experience.

“Positioned at the turnaround point of the Scenic Railway, this facility will offer an opportunity for visitors to really enjoy and agro-tourism experience through guided farm tours on a pick and pay system” said Dr Harris.

In order for an agricultural tourism effort to thrive the country must learn the success factors that it needs to focus on – namely, farm size, the presence of water and adequate costing.

Prime Minister the Right Honourable Dr Denzil Douglas, in his feature address said the Minister of Energy is doing all in his power to move the Federation away from its traditional fossil fuel dependence and in the direction of green energy.

“Our minister of Tourism,” the Prime Minister said, “is constantly seeking innovative ways to make the Federation’s tourism product much more intriguing and much more competitive.”

Prime Minister Douglas noted that some international travelers are interested in sea and sand, some in history and architecture, and some in simple escape and revelry, but there are others who are interested in nature.

“…there is a significant segment of travelers however, that is interested in nature, our natural country, the nature of our country, in traditional herbs and medicines, in the flora and the fauna of the countries that they visit” said the Prime Minister. “And so this Agro-Tourism Demonstration Farm was designed specifically with that segment of the international community with that segment of the international traveling community in mind.”

It is expected that this agro-tourism project will present the young people of the Federation with another face of agriculture and another use to which our lands can be put.

Related posts:

1. St. Kitts – Nevis and Taiwan Sign Agro-Tourism Farm Agreement
2. St. Kitts – Nevis Committed To Agro-Tourism
3. St. Kitts – Nevis Agro-Tourism Showcases Tropical Fruits
4. St. Kitts – Nevis – Communist China Builds New Tourism Project
5. New Nevis Agro Processing Center

The Old Public Market In Nevis

Charlestown, Nevis
August 15, 2011

Work on the Charlestown Public Market continues in earnest a senior official in the Ministry of Communications and Works expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project which commenced in January.
 
During a site visit on Friday, Director of Project Mr. Denzil Stanley told the Department of Information that the Ministry was pleased with the work done.
 
“We are very much pleased with what has been produced here so far. The contractor Mr. Meredith Hendrickson has done a marvellous job at renovating this structure and we at the Ministry of Communication and Works are pretty much pleased with what has been happening so far,” he said.
 
According to Mr. Stanley, the project took root when the Nevis Island Administration responded to the need for an upgraded facility but explained that there had been some setbacks since the project commenced.
 
“The project started in January and should have been completed as per scope of works. Along the way we met some hindrances, the major one is that the room which was a storage room, it was not a part of the original scope to be touched but it posed a problem with the roof of this building it was basically, putting it simply, in the way of the works,” he said.
 
A decision was then taken after discussions and an onsite meeting with the Minister of Agriculture Hon. Robelto Hector and his Permanent Secretary Dr. Kelvin Daly, that renovations would be done to the storage room to accommodate the original scope of works for the market. Mr. Stanley said that was the major setback with the project but it was understandable in order to get what needed to be achieved.
 
With regard to the new facility, the Projects Director was of the view that it would be much more comfortable for the vendors.
 
“Previously you would have seen what was there before was a bit congested. I have not seen the layout in terms of how it’s going to be laid out for the individual vendors but as I said, I believe it’s going to be something that is more comfortable for the vendors, more appealing, more accommodating for them and not just the vendors even for the buying public too.
 
“They should be happy when coming by to get their produce in a much more comfortable area,” he said.

Related posts:

1. Improved Public Market Earmarked For Charlestown
2. Nevis Island Administration Commended For New Public Market
3. Gingerland Public Market To Hold Grand Opening Ceremony
4. Gingerland Public Market To Provide Employment Opportunities
5. St. Kitts – Nevis Electoral Reform Process Moving Ahead