Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 30th , 2020 (ZIZ News):
By: Chaïra Flanders
The Ministry of Agriculture held its third quarter Policy and Planning Review meeting at the Department of Agriculture Conference Room on Thursday October 30 2020.
The meeting was held in keeping with the Ministry’s Agenda 2020, to assess the Ministry’s performance for the third quarter and to plan for the fourth quarter of 2020.
During his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Ron Dublin Collins explained the importance of having the quarterly review.
‘Today’s meeting is very important for us as it provides a forum for us to take a serious look at what we are doing, where we are, and where we want to be and how we intend to get there. The meeting seeks to build the foundation for collaboration and to allow for discussion and exchange of ideas. That is why I’m particularly happy that the representatives of farmers and fishers are here to join with us because we cannot do this on our own and the collaborative effort of all stakeholders is critical”, he said.
In his presentation, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Alexis Jeffers, said the reports that are presented during the quarterly reviews help to contribute towards policy development that can enhance the sector.
“We’re not just going to sit on that information and say it sounds good or does not sound good enough. We are going to utilise the data that is presented, we are going to utilise the information that is presented to us as well and also use that to shape policies and programs moving into the New Year. Whether in land distribution, whether in water, whether in crop production, how can we increase that and improve on what we are delivering to our farmers. Those are the things that we are hoping to accomplish”, Jeffers.
The Agriculture Minister also used the opportunity to encourage all stakeholders to do their part to push the Agriculture industry.
“I want to say to all of us, that with this new thrust that we have in Agriculture, the whole federation is looking towards the Department and Ministry of Agriculture to deliver and when they mean deliver, deliver something substantial so we can say that we are moving in the right direction in pushing Agriculture to the heights that we know it can get to in this federation”, the Minister added.
Presentations were made by all heads of units in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources. The audience was given the opportunity to ask questions following each presentation.
The meeting also saw in attendance, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture on Nevis.