FAO: Create environment for breadfruit, breadnut industry to thrive

By Andre Huie

Basseterre, St. Kitts: The enabling environment must be created for a breadfruit and breadnut industry to thrive in St. Kitts and Nevis. That was the view stressed by officials from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in a recent workshop held in St. Kitts to discuss strategies of developing a breadfruit and breadnut industry.

Heiko Bamman, Enterprise Development office of the FAO in Rome, speaking at the recent breadfruit and breadnut industry workshop at the Ocean Terrace Inn, stressed that the importance of making the industry profitable and to  grow income potentials. Meanwhile, Agro-industries officer of the FAO, Mr. Joseph Mpagalile spoke to participants on marketing their breadfruit and breadnut products including discussing the constraints and challenges.

Link: http://www.winnfm.com/news2.asp?NewsID=7886

Food Security Top Priority

Food Security Top Priority

 

Written by Loshaun DixonPosted On: Thursday, 15 December 2011Last Updated: Thursday, 15 December 2011

RokStories

Basseterre, St. Kitts-The achievement of food security in St. Kitts & Nevis is an important policy of the government, said The Prime Minister of the twin island nation, Dr. Denzil Douglas, during the recent presentation of the Federal Budget. 

Dr. Douglas said “The importance of achieving this goal is reinforced by the growing uncertainty in the global food market, which is characterized by successive episodes of natural disasters in the food producing regions of the world; increasing demands from expanding economies; increased use of biofuel technology and the associated upward pressure on prices.” 

Dr. Douglas outlined that it was just in October 2011, a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that thirty-two (32) countries around the world will be in need of assistance, as a result of crop failures, natural disasters and high domestic food prices.  “However, I can confidently say to this Honourable House that we will not be among the countries in need of such assistance,” Dr. Douglas said. 

“Since the closure of the Sugar Industry in 2005, my Government has made agriculture a priority in the development agenda, by identifying the sector as one of the pillars of transformation, which would not only ensure food security, but also facilitate employment and revenue generation.  Considerable investment has been made to facilitate the expansion of the sector, through increased integration of new farming techniques and technologies and the creation of linkages with other sectors in order to reduce cost and maximize benefits.  During 2012 we intend to build on these efforts by emphasizing small and commercial scale farming, infrastructure, appropriate technology and training,” Douglas added.

 He continued, “Small-scale and commercial farming have both been used as a means of expanding the sector as we strive to meet domestic demand and capitalize on export opportunities.  During 2010, three (3) farmers were identified for the establishment of commercial farms which involve the cultivation of fifty (50) acres each.  We have also encouraged group-farming or the cluster farm model which was initiated under the Agricultural Training Employment Programme.  This programme targets former sugar workers who are interested in making a transition from the Sugar Industry to non-sugar agriculture.  I am pleased to report that this initiative has been successful, facilitating the establishment of four group farms in the areas of Sir Gilles, Belmont, West Farm and Mansion. We are also focusing on supporting the development of niche markets in the agro-processing sub-sector as this area provides a unique opportunity to develop an additional form of income generation, particularly for women, a means of reducing wastage and a building block for small business development. The Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) has collaborated with the Department of Cooperatives to provide training, equipment and product development support in this area.  Further capacity building will be sought in order to facilitate quality assurance and sustainability.” 

Prime Minister Douglas also said the livestock sub-sector is facing challenges such as praedial larceny, high mortality, the high cost of feed and poor husbandry practices. These problems resulted in a 3.8% decline in output in 2010. Several initiatives have been implemented and will continue into 2012 to reverse this outcome. They include the growing, harvesting and storage of forage for use during the dry season as part of a strategy to deal with the cost of imported feed which has caused some livestock farmers to cease production as profit margins continued to narrow.

Newsflash:

• Yemen unity government named...

Timothy Harris in Discussions to Strengthen Agricultural Sector

 

Written by MiyVue.com Staff WriterPosted On: Wednesday, 07 December 2011

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(File Photo)

Basseterre, St. Kitts-Chairman of CARDI and Senior Minister in the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis, Dr. Timothy Harris recently concluded discussions with government officials in Trinidad & Tobago, exploring possible capacity building support from that country to St Kitts and Nevis.

 While in the twin-island republic, Dr. Harris, who is also the Minister responsible for Agriculture in St. Kitts, held bilateral talks with his counterpart, Vasant Bharath, Minister of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago.

Harris, who serves as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of CARDI was in the sister CARICOM State to fulfill a series of engagements on behalf of CARDI and his home government. 

In addition to meeting with Senator Vasant Bharath, he also was engaged in discussions with CARDI’s Executive Director, Dr Arlington Chesney, to discuss the financial situation of the premier agricultural research entity and to explore ways in which the government of Trinidad and Tobago can offer a financial respite. 

The meeting was described as productive.  Senator Bharat was supported in this meeting by Mrs. Edwina Leacock, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Food Production of Trinidad and Tobago and Yolande Agard Simmonds, Director of Communications in the Ministry of Food Production. 

Dr Harris was featured speaker at an Open Day event organized by CARDI under the theme “Improving Lives Through Agriculture Research”. 

The Open Day ceremony featured Dr Janet Lawrence, CARDI’s Representative, Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Oliver Aqui, President of Trinidad and Tobago Greenhouse Operators Association, Stephanie Elder-Alexander, Deputy Permanent Secretary, and the Vote of Thanks was given by Alexander Benn, National Coordinator of CFC Projects. 

The programme also offered tours of exhibition and field activities.

St. Kitts Business Update

St. Kitts Business Update (July 30th,2011)

By: Jenise Ferlance, SKNVibes Comments    0 Recommend    8 BASSETERRE St. Kitts – THE business of agriculture is fast becoming a thing of the future as economic hardship spirals on, and as small businesses continue to voice their struggles, big businesses continue to make a way to ease the burden on consumers. On that note, SKNVibes presents another edition of ‘Business Update’. SKNVibes has proven itself to be the number one as statistics publicised by Google’s International Search Engine revealed this News and Information website was the most visited and page-viewed site in St. Kitts and Nevis. Figures recorded for May, 2011, showed that SKNVibes had 120,000 unique visitors for the month while page views recorded were an astonishing 3.2 million. Total visits for the month of May climbed as high as 710,000 and visitors spent an average of 10 minutes on the site. Saturday (July 2), the Sandy Point Market will be celebrating one year since it was restored and The Sandy Point Agricultural Co-operative Society Ltd (SPACS) invites the general public to come on down, show some support and take advantage of the reduced prices, give-aways, and games such as ‘guess the weight’ as SPACS strives to bring fun and excitement to agriculture. FIRSTCARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL BANK is currently inviting members of the public to nominate FirstCaribbean’s 2011 Unsung Heroes for the Federation. They remain dedicated to rewarding and recognising those residents of St. Kitts and Nevis who have made it their life’s work to give back to their community without expecting anything in return. The closing date for nominations is June 30, 2011. Forms are available at all FirstCaribbean branches, and on the Bank’s website www.firstcaribbeanbank.com. Today (June 30) the TDC GROUP OF COMPANIES will hold its 38th Annual General Meeting (AGM), at the Fisherman’s Wharf in Fortlands, Basseterre. Shareholders are expected to receive the Directors Report, detailing the performance of the Group for the 2010/2011 fiscal year, declare a final dividend, elect Directors to replace those retiring by rotation, and confirm the appointment of a new Director. Other reports and reviews will be presented and immediately following will be the Annual recognition of staff members, the announcement of the winners of the Employee Excellence Awards and the Employee of the Year awards, where each winner will receive a cash prize and the coveted TDC, Jacques A. Crammer Award.  TDC’s summer sizzler continues where you get 15 percent off your purchase of two tyres and 20 percent off your purchase of 3 or more tyres. LIME is currently offering a free modem and free installation when you sign up for internet service on or before July 31 and pay just $75 plus VAT monthly for one year. On Friday (July 1), the ST. CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD will mark the 15th anniversary of Self-Employed Coverage. The Board will engage in a number of activities during the month of July under the theme “Sustaining the Self-Employed through Guaranteed Benefits.” Throughout the month of July, Social Security staff will be engaged in on-site visits to organizations and individuals connected to self-employed persons as part of the on-going educational outreach of the Public Relations Department among other activities. The Furniture and Appliances Department of S.L HORFORDS & COMPANY LTD., continues its cash back promotion where consumers will receive cash back coupons for free groceries with every Higher Purchase made. Consumers will also be given a chance to win a free living room set, dining room set, bedroom set or a kitchen appliances package with every EC $100 spent. This promotion runs from June to December 2011. There you have it for this week’s Business Update. If you are interested in having your information featured in our weekly articles, be sure it is emailed toeditor@sknvibes.com Source: http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/32143

First ever Tractorcade

On Saturday, April 2, it’s time to rev up the old engine and join in for the new, never-before-tried Tractorcade! Led by Mixklusiv International, Saturday’s street jam will pull together the idea of a motorcade and the centuries-old procession of the gang returning from a bountiful harvest - a festive mix you dare not miss! The colorful tractorcade will boast the best produce and animals from the community’s farmers and will spread the message ‘Buy Local, Eat Local’.



Junior SPIRIT also has an impressive, dangling prize for members who join the tractorcade in the wackiest Farmer Brown costume! Whether it be an overall, muddy boots or at simplest, a straw hat, make sure you come out and join in the fun! The event climaxes at the Sandy Point market for an afternoon of games, story telling and an open-air feast of local dishes. The event will also highlight a Farmers Recognition Award, in association with Sandy Point Agricultural Cooperative Society (SPACS).

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.183778801668508.41240.100001091679436&type=1
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Farmers fighting back

By Andre Huie WINN FM
Basseterre, St. Kitts: Sweet potato farmers are seeing a reduction in the infection of their crops by the sweet potato weevil. According to Mr. Eric Browne from the St. Kitts Agriculture Department, the farmers have been using baits in their fields to help trap the weevils before they begin infecting the crops.
             Mr. Browne explained how the sweet potato weevil trap is set. In August of this year a two-day workshop was held with sweet potato farmers in St. Kitts Nevis on how to deal with the sweet potato weevil, which has been an ongoing challenge to their crop production. Reports are that some farmers lose in excess of 75 percent or their entire crop of sweet potato to this pest.   Mr. Browne explained back then that farmers were urged to keep their farms clean of the weevil as it is damaging sweet potatoes across St. Kitts.  Removing potato crops infected by the weevil was also recommended, according to Mr. Browne said. He was not able to say at the time of the recent interview with WINN FM, by how much crop production has been restored since the sweet potato weevil baits have been used. (October 23, 2011)


Source: http://www.winnfm.com/news2.asp?NewsID=7568

Fighting For Food Security Film

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation – ACP/EU (CTA) in collaboration with the Caribbean Council for Science and Technology (CCST), the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Trinidad & Tobago Film Company launched in July 2010. The main objective of this competition is to encourage the use of ICTs by young professionalism improving the environment for agricultural science and innovation in the Caribbean region. It encourages creative, technology savvy young professionals (persons 18-35 years) with a passion for communicating ideas and an interest in leveraging science and technology for agricultural and economic development to participate.

Eight countries submitted entries with Trinidad and Tobago proudly presenting 23 of the 39 entries. Jamaica, Barbados, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Haiti, Grenada and Suriname were among the other countries providing entries. “New technologies and Youth in Agriculture” is the category which was chosen by our group, and we were able to secure the 14th spot amongst the top 25 regional countries selected to compete in the finals of the film and video competition.

We were also fortunate enough to travel to Trinidad in December 2010 from the 14th to the 16th to take part in a video and film work shop and training session. We once again travel to Trinidad in August 2011 from the 22nd to the 25th to take part in the awards ceremony.

Although we were unable to win the competition the experience was life changing and we have certainly impacted our community in a positive way.We continue to use the techniques learnt to promote as well as build interest for agriculture within the tender minds of the youth. 

Below is a link to the final product of our video................ We do hope you enjoy......


Link: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150613480280328&set=o.104005443000373&type=2&theater