Last Updated on February 20, 2024, 2:34 PM AST by Anthony Morris
Samal Duggins- the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine Resources of St Kitts and Nevis, attended the 52nd Annual Agriculture and Food Fair of the U.S Virgin Islands from February 17 – 19, 2024 at the Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agricultural Complex, Estate Lower Love on St. Croix.
The event commonly known as the AgriFest was held under the theme Agriculture: Our Future and so much more in 2024.
Minister Duggins was accompanied by various officials and representatives, Permanent Secretary, Miguel Flemming and Marketing Manager Alicia Whyte from the Ministry of Agriculture et al.
The purpose of attending the food fair this year led by Minister Duggins was to meet with supermarkets to introduce agro-processed goods and secure market opportunities for produce from farmers as it relates to the 25×25 agenda and beyond.
While reflecting upon his visit, Minister Duggins took to his official social media handle to share his experience at the Agrifest 2024 Virgin Islands. He also shared some glimpses of his visit.
Pc: Facebook
“What an incredible journey it’s been! The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources, alongside the Ministry of Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Cooperatives team, led by yours truly, had the honour of attending the 52nd Annual Agriculture and Food Fair of the U.S. Virgin Islands,” he noted.
Furthermore, he also expressed his immense pride and congratulated the Nevis Farmers’ Cooperative Society for clinching first place and the St Kitts Farmers’ Cooperative Society for securing second place in the Off-Island Exhibition. He also looked hopeful and excited about this incredible experience.
Notably, this year the government of St. Kitts and Nevis, through the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources and Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Cooperatives sponsored participants from the St Kitts Farmers Cooperative Society and the Nevis Farmers Cooperative Society with some of their travel expenses to attend the Agrifest.
According to the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and President of the Agriculture and Food Fair Board, Dr. Louis E. Peterson the theme, “reflects tireless and ongoing efforts to keep agriculture alive in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Let’s enjoy, educate, and improve food security for many years to come,”.
Moreover, the Premier and Minister of Finance in the Virgin Islands, Dr Natalio D. Wheatley, who also attended the 107th OECS meeting previously, was pleased and grateful to meet Minister Duggins. He said he has been inspired by what St Kitts and Nevis has been doing in the area of agriculture and said the Virgin Islands will be collaborating with that country on some of the initiatives.
Dr Wheatley also shared that he has already had discussions with Minister Duggins about some of the things they can do together, “considering the fact that we are OECS brothers and sisters.”
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
