Last Updated on May 9, 2024, 2:11 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis: The Ministry of Agriculture is continuously providing assistance to the farmers in form of training, climate-smart materials and technologies. The farmers extended gratitude to the ministry for their vital support.
The climate-smart materials included drip irrigation kits, ground cover, fencing wire and poles which has been provided to the farmers. According to the information, approximately 150 farmers of the country have received these items since 2023.
This aid comes through the Drought Resilient Irrigation Project (DRIP), which was launched in October 2023 as a part of the 25 by 25 Agenda. These materials are being used to amplify the effects of climate change, which threatens water and food security in the twin-island union.
Neil Mitchell, the Livestock farmer and Co-owner of the Island Country Farms in Parson’s Village expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture for their profound support.
“I want to say thanks to Agriculture for assisting me with these wires and these poles to help me finish my fencing. I also want to say good, pleasant thanks to Mr. Shawn (Clarke) also for assisting me,” added Mitchell.
The Crop Farmer, Derrick Elliot noted that he has received ground cover and with its help he had cleared the land of scrub vegetation that invited Green vervet monkeys and other pests.
“I would like to thank the Agriculture Department for their much-needed assistance. This was just a land that was full of bush but now with the motivation if the 25 by 25, we are able to move for and put the much-needed produce for the island so we are able to eat healthy, eat local, buy local and support local,” remarked Elliot.
The ground cover has proved extremely beneficial for weed control as it was made of hundred per cent (100%) woven polypropylene material.
Such efforts of the government is a testament to their commitment and dedication to empower the food producers and fostering food security and sustainability on the island.
In addition to this, St. Kitts and Nevis has recently received 15k banana and 15k plantain slips, underscored the importance of agricultural development and marked a step ahead achieving the aim of 25 by 25 Food Import Reduction.
Under 25 by 25 agenda, the government of twin-island Federation focuses to cut the food import bill by 25 per cent on regional and national level by 205.
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.
