Signing Of New Technical Cooperation Agreement
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 03, 2009 (CUOPM)
The new site for the Demonstration Farm to be operated by the Agricultural Technical Mission of the Republic of China on Taiwan, Republic would introduce new food crops and fruits on the local market.
Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Cedric Liburd says provision of the new site is in keeping with an agreement he signed on behalf of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis with the Government of the Republic of China on Taiwan and which replaced 24-year-old arrangement.
Minister Liburd said the agreement is part of his Ministry’s policy to improve the quantity, quality and variety of agricultural products and expands Taiwan’s commitment for cooperation in all areas of agriculture by introducing new farming techniques, food crops and fruit varieties to the local farming population.
The new site at Sir Gillies in Sandy Point will facilitate the demonstration of commercial food crop and fruit production; the introduction and evaluation of new food crops and fruit varieties; training of farmers in advanced agricultural techniques and germination and propagation of plants.
The present site at Needsmust Estate along the Kim Collins Highway is in the protected area that forms part of the Basseterre Valley aquifer, which supplies water to Basseterre, Frigate Bay and the South-East Peninsula.
Any further expansion of agricultural activity or use of agrochemicals in that area would compromise the underground water source.