Agriculture can provide economic diversification — Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has reaffirmed his commitment to diversifying the BVI’s economy by bolstering the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
He emphasised that these industries are pivotal in reducing the cost of living and creating employment and business opportunities.
“I continue to believe in our agriculture and fisheries sector, that it can provide the diversification that we need,” Premier Wheatley said at a press conference yesterday.
Investments made in poultry farming
He stressed the importance of utilising available resources to achieve these goals. The Premier acknowledged significant investments made in poultry farming, noting that these ventures require additional support to thrive.
Dr Wheatley indicated that the government is implementing reforms to ensure that individuals with access to agricultural lands are actively utilising them.
“We are doing some reforms right now to ensure that the persons who have access to agricultural lands, that they’re productive,” he said.
Recognising the need for accelerated progress, Premier Wheatley has enlisted the expertise of Permanent Secretary Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe, an experienced farmer, to expedite initiatives. He also commended Junior Minister for Agriculture Karl Dawson for his leadership in advancing diversification efforts within these sectors.
More business-friendly policies
The Premier underscored the vital role of the BVI’s populace in driving economic development. Through the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development, and Digital Transformation, the government aims to equip residents with the necessary tools to build and expand industries. This includes facilitating access to capital, with plans to engage local banks, including the National Bank, to support emerging and existing entrepreneurs.
“Our policies have to be more business-friendly to equip persons with the tools to be able to go into any particular area that they see that there’s an opportunity and develop it and to grow it,” Premier Wheatley shared.
He also highlighted the potential of digital transformation, noting that the BVI can offer services beyond its borders, tapping into global markets. “We don’t just have to sell services within the borders of the Virgin Islands. We have the whole globe that we can sell services to,” he added.
The government has allocated $1.9 million to construct the Virgin Islands Agriculture and Fisheries Complex in Paraquita Bay to support these initiatives. This facility aims to store, process, and sell local produce and fish, supporting food security and creating economic opportunities for farmers and fishers.
Additionally, the government is working closely with the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) to develop the complex, which will include a large water storage tank to support productive farming in Paraquita Bay.
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More hot air
The problem is that it is much much cheaper to buy agricultural products and fish from overseas. Prices at the market for locally grown produce are significantly higher than those in the shops for imported products.
What a reassuring idea :-/ …. BUT PLEASE – dear Leaders – let’s spend the $1.9mil to actually creat an Agricultural and Fishery Sector before building a superfluous Ag and Fish complex … on premium farm land (!) , miles from the fishing communities, with no justifiable business plan, no skilled food processing personnel, no market requirement for Govt to act as middle man etc etc
There is – unfortunately – a deepening suspicion in the Ag and Fish community that the proposed ‘Complex’ is a thinly veiled attempt and optimally timed exercise to conjure up a large construction project to curry favor from a selection of happy contractors … around the time the reelection campaigns will be in play.
We Farmers and Fishermen you rethink this irresponsible approach – Please !
Hah, Hah, Hah. Use the potholes! Bring back the Greenhouses! Build more buildings for the Ag Department! Use more agricultural land for building! We need produce before we need a complex to sell it in! Like we need roads before we can drive on them!!!! Always projects for backhanders.