Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 4, 2021 (Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries & Marine Resources): The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources and farmers in St. Kitts received high commendation from Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Honourable Timothy Harris following a report of increased livestock production within the first quarter of 2021.
Prime Minister Harris announced that livestock production increased by 66 percent in 2021 when compared to the same period of 2020. He made the remarks on Thursday June 3, when he hosted his Prime Minister’s Monthly Press Conference at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) conference room.
He stated, “During the period under review, overall livestock production increased by approximately 66 percent in 2021 compared to 2020. The combined value of reported livestock commodities increased from $458,998 in 2020 to $760,322 in 2021. The increase was attributed to the provision of resources made available through the COVID-19 stimulus package for the agriculture sector”.
Despite the increase in livestock production, he said there was an unfortunate decline in crop production overall which fell by approximately 10 percent. Dr. Harris highlighted however, that “significant gains were realised in cabbage, cantaloupe, onion, sweet potato, tomato, watermelon, and yam production, while cucumber production remained steady”.
He then used the opportunity to plead with the general public to support local farmers and fishers by buying local produce.
“I want to remind all of us to continue, or to start if we haven’t yet been doing so, to support our farmers and fishers by buying local produce. At the same time, I want to remind our farmers and fishers to do the best they can on prices and quality. It is always a good strategy at times to reduce the price, and make your customers happier. Long live our farmers and fishers”, Prime Minister Harris said.
In a previous statement, Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Alexis Jeffers, said that his Ministry is committed to supporting livestock farmers by “imparting practical, demonstrative, and interactive knowledge, hands-on-training and effective and sustainable extension services”. This he says is to further improve livestock farm productivity and to provide farmers with greater access to appropriate services and inputs.