Farming

St. Kitts – Nevis Farmers To Receive More Land

Basseterre, Saint. Kitts – Nevis
April 01, 2008 (CUOPM)

The governing St. Kitts – Nevis Labour Administration is giving local farmers more land for crop and livestock production.

According to the post-cabinet statement, the growth in the tourism industry, the high cost of imported food, and the availability of fertile land provide an opportunity for local farmers to expand their businesses and for new farmers to get onboard.

The Cabinet at its meeting on Monday, in response to the increasing demand by local farmers for agricultural land for crop and livestock farming, approved the distribution of 20 acres of land to small local farmers in the Estridge, Mansion and Phillips areas.

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St. Kitts – Nevis Farmers Team Up With Taiwan Technology

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 05, 2008 (CUOPM)

Local farmers in St. Kitts and Nevis are expected to benefit from a new technical cooperation agreement signed between the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China on Taiwan.

The new agreement will provide for the introduction of new agriculture and fruit crops to the twin-island Federation.

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Cedric Liburd said the new agreement will also extend technical assistance to the fishing industry and develop the aqua-culture sector. “This will enrich the diet of our population and also improve food security,” said Liburd, during a signing ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affiars in Taipei.

Minister Liburd also said that the agreement will further provide assistance and develop the horticulture industry as well as provide the necessary technical help in conducting a feasibility study to determine the suitability of growing certain exotic food crops in St. Kitts and Nevis.

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St. Kitts Fruit Plate Continues To Do Well

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
January 30, 2008

The Kittitian Fruit Plate which began as a concept to encourage the production of fruit and find a market for its sale continues to do well.

Marketing Officer of the Department of Agriculture Mr. Alistair Edwards revealed that the idea was that of his Marketing Unit, when it began pushing the production of several goods at the closure of the sugar industry.  The Unit did market research and found that there was an unsatisfied demand for assorted fruit.

He said that whenever the Agriculture Department is invited to an event the representatives make sure to take Kittitian Fruit Plates which can form part of the refreshments for the event.  The Marketing Officer said that farmers bring the fruit to the Department which then puts the various fruit together considering that individual farmers may harvest only one type of fruit.  Edwards noted that several farmers package the fruit plate themselves for sale at their vending stalls.

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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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