Agriculture Open Day outlines the importance of food security

ZIZ News…May 13, 2010 – The 2010 Agriculture Open Day was officially launched today and has already seem hundreds of students and other interested individuals visiting and taking art in the activities.

The two day event, being held at the Agriculture Department grounds, is focusing on the importance of food security for St Kitts and Nevis.

Viewed as the one of the largest agricultural event of the year, the Agriculture Open Day attracts thousands of students and residents on both St Kitts and Nevis.

On display at the event are fruits, vegetables grown by the department and school children. There are animals on display, decorative plants and even agricultural chemicals.

During the opening ceremony, the Director of Agriculture on St Kitts, Mr Ashton Stanley spoke of the theme and how it relates to food security.

Ms. Deslyn Moses represented the St Kitts Farmers Cooperation. She explained how farmers benefit from the hosting of the Open Day.

The Minister of Agriculture, Hon Dr Timothy Harris gave the feature address at the opening ceremony. He used the opportunity to remind people how significant agriculture is to the development of any economy.

Minister Harris added that the Open Day is being used to display the different successes the Agriculture Department has recorded over time.

The Open Day attracted a number of dignitaries with different interests in the field of agriculture. Ambassadors of the Republic of China, Taiwan, the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela and the Republic of Cuba were present at the event.

Other guests included the Governor General, his Excellency Dr Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, the OAS Director for St Kitts and Nevis and the immediate former Minister of Agriculture.