Last Updated on March 14, 2025, 9:52 AM AST by Anthony Morris
St Kitts achieved another milestone as it recorded a remarkable increase in agricultural production in 2024, especially in several major crops. A report was submitted by the Acting director at the Department of Agriculture, Y’ushaner Jeffers that included the statistics of the production.
The report was delivered as part of the Annual Review and Planning meeting which was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. It unveiled the most produced commodities, including pumpkin, watermelon, cantaloupe, and cucumber, which experienced notable growth as compared to data in 2023.
Increase in production as compared to 2023
Production of pumpkin increased from 91.2 metric tonnes in 2023 to 140.6 metric tonnes in 2024. This reflects a 54% rise in production.
Watermelon’s production increased from 40.6 metric tonnes to 119.3 metric tonnes, a 193.9% rise when compared to 2023.
There is a 142.9 % increase in cucumber production, from 34.9 metric tonnes in 2023 to 84.8% metric tonnes in 2024.
Cantaloupe had the most dramatic increase in its production, from 12.4 metric tonnes in 2023 to 39.3 metric tonnes in 2024. This marked a significant rise of 216.9%.
Agricultural Initiatives launches by the Government
The Ministry of Agriculture attributed the success of increasing the production of various crops to the various agricultural initiatives launched by the government to advance the sector.
The government also launched the ‘25X25 Agricultural Support Package’ which was introduced to provide essential technical support, vital inputs, and installation of climate-smart systems to farmers.
Around 25,028 agriculture related equipment to 566 farmers of the twin island nation, with an aim to enhance agricultural productivity.
The Drought Resilience Irrigation Project (DRIP) was implemented by the government to increase water efficiency. This will help crops to grow even when there are concerns regarding the availability of water.
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.
