Last Updated on February 23, 2024, 4:03 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Local farmers from St Kitts and Nevis were delighted by the unwavering support and efforts of Minister Samal Duggins and the Ministry of Agriculture during their recent trip to St Croix Agriculture Food Fair 2024.
This St Croix Agriculture Food Fair, also commonly known as, Agrifest 2024 was held in the Virgin Islands from February 17-19, 2024.
The event headlined several activities, including Farmer of the Year award presentations, cultural performances, Exhibits, demonstrations, and competitions in fellowship with the neighboring islands. It was organized under the theme, “AGRICULTURE: Our Future and So Much More in 2024.”
Paulette Peets, a participating farmer of Agrifest 2024, thanked Minister Duggins for delivering his significant efforts and making every possible way to help and make the farmers represent themselves on such a huge platform.
He shared that they have been wishing to get on the stage for the past several years, but the efforts of Minister Duggins and his ministry made it possible for them to be there this year.
Meanwhile, another farmer Claudette Vanderpool displaying a similar depth of sentiments and remarked, “It’s a long time we have not been coming and I am grateful to Minister Duggins. Thank you very much.”
Further, Solomon Morton, a representative from the St Kitts Farmers’ Cooperative Society, expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture for coming on board to support them on their trip to St. Croix
He reflected upon his experience and stated, “It has been a long hard struggle but we are finally at the point that we recognize the need for it and we want to thank the Minister of Agriculture for his selfless efforts.”
Notably, through these collaborative efforts, the farmers and the local entrepreneurs reaped fruitful results. Some of them also marked top positions at the St Croix Agriculture Food Fair.
Emontine Thompson, a local farmer, who clinched first place, acknowledged Minister Duggins and the Ministry of Agriculture.
He expressed his thankfulness and said, “We came in the first place and I’m here with the Minister of Agriculture of St. Kitts who gave me the support to be here. Minister Duggins really supported me and I want to say thank you. Thank you also to the permanent secretary from St. Kitts.”
Further, Minister Duggins also appreciated the farmers for their consistent hard work and dedication. He thanked farmers and said at the end of the day, it’s not a ministry, it’s a nation and the farmers who put their hand to the wheel and displayed their efforts flawlessly.
At last, he also extended gratitude to all participants, cooperatives, supporters, and partners for contributing to the success of this significant milestone.
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.
