(ZIZ)– Local farmers will soon be able to benefit from new skills and farming techniques used by Taiwanese farmers for years.
The Needsmust Demonstration Farm and Agro Processing Unit were officially handed over to the government on Tuesday.
Resident Taiwanese Ambassador, His Excellency Miguel Tsao says these facilities have made significant progress since their establishment in 2006.
“More than 20 different categories of production including juices, dried fruit, chips, jams are selling to the supermarkets, hotels and restaurants and duty free stores at Port Zante,” he said.
Minister of Agriculture, Hon Nigel Carty used the occasion to thank the Republic of China, Taiwan for its years of cooperation and assistance, particularly in the field of agriculture.
He said “the agricultural technical mission of the Republic of China, Taiwan has since then added significant support in various technical aspects and have also given financial assistance to the Departments Of Agriculture in Nevis and in St. Kitts. The ROC has added to the technological development for fruits and vegetable production and to the upgrade of the staff’s professional standards in both crop and livestock management and production.”
Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Dr Earl Martin praised the Agro-Processing Unit and the Demonstration Farm for their role in promoting entrepreneurship.
“It’s encouraging and supporting a certain dynamism and outward movement within the agricultural sector; that is very important,” he said. “At the same time however, it is encouraging the spirit of entrepreneurial-ship which the government has been making a point of stressing at every opportunity.”
The Republic of China, Taiwan is also operating a 20-acre agro-tourism demonstration farm Sir Gillies.
Once operational, that farm will conduct workshops and seminars for local youth who want to pursue opportunities in agriculture.