Agriculture Open Day 2014

ZIZ News — The Ministry of Agriculture hosted its 21st annual Open Day today [April 24] showcasing various products, services, livestock and other aspects of agriculture.

The two-day event, located at the Agriculture Department at La Guerite is usually highly anticipated by schools and the general public.

During the opening ceremony, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Ashton Stanley spoke of the significance of the theme “Agriculture – moving in the right direction.”

He said the Ministry has much to celebrate this year including an increase in crop and livestock production.  He also noted that they are looking to the future by promising to build 21 more greenhouses.

“We are putting the technology in the hands of the farmers to ensure that production increases, he said, adding that “Together the ministry and farmers move agriculture in the right direction of resilient livelihoods and improved production technologies.”

While speaking of the Agro-processing Unit, Stanley said St. Kitts should soon see an increase in locally made and packaged foods.

“Agro-processing serves well as an ideal solution for rainy season production, glut markets, by adding value while maintaining the nutritional content of the product.  Now that the people of St. Kitts are the owners of the Agro-processing Unit, there is no excuse really for us not to enjoy locally grown and produced snacks all year round,” he explained.

While the theme focused on moving into the future, the Ministry presented stewardship awards to Charles Pemberton, Meriam Woods, Dr. Burnell Nisbett, and Pearl Glasford for their outstanding contribution to the development of agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis.