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

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. Agro-Tourism Consultation On Nevis
5. St. Kitts – Nevis – Communist China Builds New Tourism Project

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. St. Kitts – Nevis Electoral Reform Process Moving Ahead
5. Gingerland Public Market To Provide Employment Opportunities

Locally Grown Produce On Display

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
June 09, 2011 (SKNIS)

Government’s commitment to assist local farmers and revitalize the agricultural sector was demonstrated on Wednesday as it tapped the expertise of the Competitiveness Council to make recommendations on ways to boost domestic production.

Senior Minister and Minister of Agriculture Honourable Dr. Timothy Harris and support staff took several Council members, headed by Chairman Charles Wilkin Q.C., on a tour of several farms including the Taiwanese Technical Mission and Agro Processing Plant, Patrick Borrough’s Floriculture, Valerie Connor’s Pig Farm as well as Spring Field Egg Farm.

Senior Minister Harris noted that the visits were planned to expose members on the realities faced by crop and livestock farmers.

“We want the members of the Council to experience agriculture on the ground and then to help us make the case for the repositioning of agriculture,” he emphasized. “So when we speak of some of the limitations; the access to water, the inadequacies of some of the roads leading to farms (particularly in the mountains); they themselves (the Council) have now experienced it and they therefore understand the imperative of taking the farm into modernization … and what will be required in terms of inputs.”

The Senior Minister reinforced the information gathered throughout the day by making a presentation to the group on the role of Agriculture in National Development.

Chairman Wilkin told SKNIS that he was impressed with local operations at the livestock, poultry and crop farms. He highlighted points that he came away with from the tour.

“One of the things we particularly want to look at [and] will have to discuss very carefully is what role there is for greater involvement of the private sector, particularly the larger companies in the agricultural sector,” he explained. “That has been identified and clearly is an area of growth that we must focus on more than we have done in the past.”

Mr. Wilkin added that Government’s regulatory structure relating to incentives and land use in the context of agriculture will also be carefully reviewed.

The St. Kitts and Nevis National Competitiveness Council was established in December 2009. It comprises public and private sector officials who provide policy advice and recommendations to the Prime Minister with a view to enhance the competitiveness of St. Kitts and Nevis by strengthen the economic climate and legal framework.

Related posts:

1. National Competitiveness Council of Advisers To Be Launched
2. Nevis Premier Extremely Pleased With Agricultural Sector Growth
3. St. Kitts – Nevis Meets Agricultural Land Demand
4. ECCB Monetary Council Predicts Sustained Economic Growth
5. IICA Committed To Nevis’ Agricultural Development