BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, February 26, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris has reiterated his Government’s support for the fisheries sector, noting that the sector can play a lead role in St. Kitts and Nevis’ economic recovery post COVID-19.
Prime Minister Harris made those remarks when he addressed the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources’ National Fishers Consultation held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort on Thursday, February 25.
“COVID-19 has taught us a lesson and as we look to the future post COVID-19 we are looking to agriculture, crops, livestock and marine resource development to help make our future stronger and safer,” Prime Minister Harris stated.
Thursday’s consultation was held under the theme, “Together, We Invest, Transform and Build Partnerships for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.”
The prime minister noted at the consultation that the past year has highlighted both the potential and resilience of the fisheries sector that can still be tapped into.
He said, “We want to look to this sector to see how we can create more jobs for our young people in particular and to explore new opportunities. In his own remarks, Marc [Williams, Director of Marine Resources] spoke about the importance of aquaculture. We have had some tentative goings in that particular arena, and yet aquaculture is going to be one of the fastest growing areas of marine development in the world and so we will have to find a way of enticing more people to come and to invest profitably in the area of aquaculture in the future.”
In this regard, Prime Minister Harris assured the fisherfolks in St. Kitts and Nevis that his Team Unity administration stands with them and will continue to provide the necessary financial and technical support.
“We have put aside $15.8 million in 2021 for the agricultural sector. Of that amount, $4 million have been put aside for marine development in St. Kitts, and we have also in that Budget put aside some $3 million to continue some of the stimulus investments which had taken place before,” Dr. Harris added.
Prime Minister Harris further indicated that his Government will also explore opportunities for public-private partnerships with local, regional, and international investors to utilise the country’s marine management method to increase food and commercial products, replenish stocks, and assist in the repopulation of species that may be under threat.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, February 04, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Farmers and fisherfolks in St. Kitts and Nevis were today, Thursday, February 04, reminded of their important role in the overall growth of the Federation’s economy, and of the Team Unity administration’s unwavering support for the development of the agricultural and fisheries sectors.
“We are well placed as a country to begin the recovery from the worst COVID-19 economic impact. Indeed, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that St. Kitts and Nevis can realise an 8 percent economic growth in 2021. Of course, this growth will not come easy, it will not come by us waiting for it to happen and hoping that it will happen. We will have to work hard in 2021 for it. This strong turnout of farmers to this particular session is an indication of your high interest in the sector and your commitment to hard work. It is you, the people in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources that will make the growth in agriculture happen,” said Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris.
The prime minister was at the time delivering remarks at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources Annual Review and Agenda 2021 Meeting held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
Over the past year, the Government has made significant financial investments in the agricultural sector that was instrumental in assisting the farming and fishing community to rebound following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Harris said, “My Government believes in your sector and the contribution that it will make. That is why we have invested $10 million in our stimulus package to boost production in the agriculture sector and ensure greater food security for the Federation. Our plans are to inject an additional $5 million in stimulus over the next two years, starting with $3 million which will be available in 2021 to boost production and ensure greater food security. Combined with our $10 million committed as part of the stimulus…we have committed five more million dollars over the next two years to bring the special stimulus support to $15 million.”
The prime minister said this assistance should not be looked at as a hand out but rather as “a sign of the trust and belief that we have in the agricultural sector to protect jobs, create new jobs, and help rebuild our economy. Indeed, hundreds of farmers and fishers received well needed assistance, putting their livelihoods back on track.”
As part of its stimulus package introduced in March 2020, the government has injected ten million dollars into the agricultural sector and waived the water payments of farmers for six months as a measure to boost agricultural production.
During his 2021 Budget presentation in December of last year, Prime Minister Harris announced the extension of nine of the 17 measures outlined in its comprehensive $120-million stimulus package. Among them was the waiver of payments for the consumption of water by farmers until June 2021.
Additionally, the Government provided support in the way of fencing wires, free harrowing services, and free inputs such as seeds and seedlings to assist farmers, while more than 200 fishermen benefited from the provision of fish trap wire, fishing line, hooks, rope, buoys and safety equipment.
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