CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (October 16, 2006)
Director of Agriculture in Nevis Dr. Kelvin Daly announced on Monday, that the Department of Agriculture on Nevis had declared war on complacency and had intended to recapture the lost production of locally produced food crops and dairy produce. He said the Department had received a new mandate and it was the Department’s intension to also diversify into non traditional crops including cashews and almonds.Dr. Daly’s announcement came while he delivered an address at a ceremony at the Department’s Conference Room at Prospect, to honour recipients of “Excellence Awards” for World Food Day 2006.
Notwithstanding, he said the cooperation of the Nevisian public was critical if the Department was to realise that goal.
“It would be counter productive if the Nevisian public do not wean themselves from imports and buy local produce first before looking elsewhere,” he said adding that Nevisians had strayed off the path that their parents and grand parents “wore into our rich soil.
“Farm implements have been abandoned and now gather dust and rust away in long abandoned sheds. Our fields have become overgrown with Nettle, Acacia and Beebush. We have gone from a country of proud producers to one of vexing consumers,” he said.
Dr. Dr.Daly took the opportunity to congratulate the awardees Ms. Sherma Richards a horticulturist; Mr Vincent Webb for his involvement in beekeeping and Mr Calvin David for fishing, who he termed were individuals dedicated to excellence in agriculture on Nevis whose contributions should not go unnoticed.
Meantime, Agriculture Minister Hon. Robelto Hector who was present at the function congratulated the awardees citing that the recognition by the Department was as a result of their investment in agriculture on Nevis.
“Let me congratulate you all for your work so far in agriculture and let me say to you that it is my prayer that your endeavours be crowned with success,” he said.
Mr Hector called on persons to heed the request of Dr. Kelvin Daly to support local farmers and producers.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Cooperatives Mr. Pearlievan Wilkin chaired the function while Mr. Eric Evelyn Communications Officer in the Department read the profiles of the awardees. Minister Hector presented the awards to the three honourees.