Agriculture

St. Kitts Marriott Resort Helps Local Farmers

Basseterre, St. Kitts- Nevis
January 30, 2008

The Department of Agriculture is forging forward in its role of facilitating the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and the local farmers of St. Kitts.

In giving background to the MOU, Agriculture Marketing Officer Mr. Alistair Edwards said that negotiations commenced under Director of Agriculture Dr. Jerome Thomas, even before the Marriott was completed.  He explained that select produce had been provided since 2003 but there had been some challenges.  Mr. Edwards sad that when the St. Kitts Marriott came under new management farmers were told that they needed produce insurance as was required by commodity suppliers to Marriott Resorts internationally.  Once this was done, they were able to sign the recent MOU, which Edwards described as a marriage where both parties are committed – one in terms of buying and the other in terms of supplying produce.  The MOU, which was signed Novermber 3, 2007, is the forerunner to an official contract, the draft of which is already circulating to the relevant parties for adjustments.

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St. Kitts – Nevis Meets Agricultural Land Demand

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
January 25, 2008

Minister responsible for Agriculture Honourable Cedric Liburd has revealed that government continues to meet the increased demand for land on the part of former sugar workers.

During an interview with the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service he said that thus far over 100 former SSMC employees have received land for crop and animal production.  Minister Liburd said this was done with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organisation which provided just over $1 million.  He said due to the success of the project including the earnings of the farmers, other former sugar workers have requested land.  He said that some of the applications were reviewed at the Cabinet meeting last Monday.

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Nevis Agricultural Personnel To Receive Training

Charlestown, Nevis
January 21, 2008

The Departments of Fisheries and Cooperatives in the Ministry of Agriculture on Nevis in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), concluded a three-day workshop on Thursday January 17, 2008 at the Nevis Cooperative Credit Union Conference Center.
 
The workshop on the Project Management Cycle attracted over 15 participants from the Board of Directors of the Nevis Fishermen Marketing and Supply Cooperatives Society Limited, staff of the Public Works Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Cooperatives and was facilitated by Mr. Mitsuhiro Ishida of JICA.
 
Speaking at the opening of the workshop on January 15, 2007, Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Robelto Hector gave his full support to the training exercise and told participants they should maximise what was being taught.

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