Mather admits agriculture missteps, pledges renewed support
Territorial Representative under the Natalio Wheatley administration, Stacy Mather has acknowledged that the Virgin Islands’ agricultural sector has suffered from past shortcomings.
Appearing on the Honestly Speaking radio programme, Mather signalled renewed government efforts to address longstanding concerns, particularly regarding water access and responsiveness to farmers’ needs.
He argued that the territory continues to have an active farming and fishing community despite the challenges.
“We have beekeepers, we have persons who are still doing their banks, they’re still growing in the soil. We have people who are growing in greenhouses, we have people who are growing with hydroponics,” Mather said, pointing to a range of agricultural practices still in use across the territory.
He also highlighted aquaculture developments, noting local shrimp production. “They have a pond up there, a man-made pond, and they have 90,000 shrimp when I was there last week in that pond,” Mather added.
While outlining these efforts, Mather admitted that the sector has not always received the support it required. “There have been some missteps over the years when it comes to farming and fishers, and we recognise that,” he said.
Farmers consistently raised concerns
He added that farmers have consistently raised concerns about the need for tangible outcomes rather than discussion alone. “I think it’s that farmers want to have actionable results. When they speak about something… they want to see it being addressed,” Mather said.
Water availability remains a central issue. First District Representative Dr Karl Dawson, who also spoke on the programme, confirmed that efforts are underway to improve supply in key farming areas, including North Sound and Valley in Virgin Gorda. He said the government is working on initiatives to “address water in a number of areas” and support agricultural production.
The water challenge has also been highlighted at the administrative level. Director of Agriculture Theodore James recently told the Standing Finance Committee that water sources in Paraquita Bay are currently unsuitable for farming due to contamination, underscoring persistent infrastructure and environmental constraints.
In addition to water issues, officials have pointed to gaps in policy development. A comprehensive agricultural strategy remains in progress, with further stakeholder consultation and the appointment of a Chief Technical Officer still required before finalisation.
The government has also indicated plans to expand access to agricultural land, including the recent purchase of property at Sage Mountain, as well as programmes aimed at increasing youth participation in farming.
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poor fella is a goner next election, joining these jokers was a death sentence to your political career
Budda was supporting the local community long before he came into politics. He was supporting the Youth and build Yep. He was a doing something to help. on the opposition there was little he could do to make changes and saw an avenue to support the people.
Its a shame your knocking him so quick in his career but he was doing things before you had the change to knock him.
You have my vote. Dont mind the noise.Once you help with argriculture, among other things you have my vote.Pickering killed it.
I never voted for him. But if it’s agriculture improvement. My votes is his and which ever team he running with
I called it a long time ago. He will be the second elected official to win the most votes in an election and be ousted the very next election. Guess who the first person was to accomplish this feat?
Big waste of time GTF
NO SUBSTANCE AT ALL WE NEED GOD FEARING PEOPLE TO DO RIGHT BY THE PEOPLE AND GOD NOT THESE MONEY HUNGRY PEOPLE THAT CANT GET ENOUGH
BVI People are really confused. You hate people that are well off, have money, own businesses, drive nice cars, own big houses. People that understand economics, investments and closing deals. They want their peers to be the ones elected, in power because they feel comfortable around them. When their peers, most of whom are inexperienced and clueless make things worse, they ask for a new batch of their peers because they are still envious of the ones who have, then the cycle continues. The last time the BVI had major projects and investments was when the NDP were in power. I’m not an NDP fan but I think the facts are the facts. I dare anybody to dispute them. In the meantime, let’s expect former teachers with zero business experience to get us out of the mess that we are in. Let’s start with the fact that they cannot even spend $100million on the eve of election. How incompetent do you really have to be? Mather was a teacher and then ran a non-profit for youth, sponsored by a billionnaire. Why do you think he can manage a Ministry or anything else without any experience in real management?
very harsh but sometimes thats the only way people listen.unfortunately the NDP with all their business acumen was also greedy , so its a delicate balance .
High prices. Not doing well.Mark and his cronies need not to be in HOA. They may be soon be the detriment of this Territory.Keep him out . All that glitters isnt gold.
This is a Christian country Sir- we don’t need no Buddhist confusing our children.
You go bro! The Cuban and his pirates team did nada for agriculture. Now some newbies with god only knows what baggage think they can run a country when many of them are failed business owners or past beneficiaries of both NDP & VIP?!?
As for you clown @ Cinco – speak what you know and shut that monkey mouth trap if you don’t have any facts. What do you know about managing or running and NPO? Nada. That’s right you keyboard ninja hiding. You say a billionaire is financing YEP – moronic statement that you have ZERO knowledge of.
It’s dangerous mouth champions like you that try to write a false narrative based on no facts. Dude has built up that instition from nothing and even the UK recognised that and awarded him for his LOCAL contributions. How many of your NDP self-serving agents accomplished that with the average age of NDP being 70+ with little to show.
Investments? Puhlease!! NDP under that groacery mucked up the Pier Park and its true potential has yet to be realized. Now that same cr**k wants to NDP prezzie and run at-large. Good luck with that old timers recycled bunch of dinosaurs that had their chances and done squat. Even the younger career politicians (D2 & D8) what have they accomplished INSIDE and/or OUTSIDE government in the past 20 years?
NDP are the same set of scoundrels that want back on the gravy train! Even with One mart sponsorship $$$ the people done seen this movie already and gave it a big fat F on Rotten Tomatoes.
You are a Mather fan. I get it, that is fine if you want to defend him. I will not go back and forth about what I have done or not done. I have owned and ran 7-Figure businesses so I know what I am talking about. You wrote 5 paragraphs and still haven’t said why Mather should be trusted to run anything nor have you outlined one single thing that he has championed. There is a danger of looking good on paper because when it comes to execution you become exposed. This is what is happening with Mather and why he will not be re-elected. You can sprain your fingers typing all day and night but I bet you cannot refute anything that I have said in my posts. The BVI need people who can move things otherwise we continue what we have now. Roads dug up all over with no plans, chaos and garbage everywhere. The current batch of leaders both elected and in the service could not earn a job as a mid manager anywhere in the private sector but we are shocked that they are incompetent?
Not a fanboy of anyone or anything – so refrain from labels please. You sound like you got an axe to grind with homeboy. Own and ran a 7 figure business – talk is cheap and I can say the same thing. However; if you feel that you can do better than ANY of the incumbents- I dare you to throw your hat in the ring since you feel that none of them can advance the territory and you have the monopoly on ideas and how government should be ran.
I said Mather has been running a NPO and asked your bright self if you could muster an inclination as to how much effort and energy that takes. Mentoring our youths and providing opportunities for them for over 20 years – and awarded a MBE – what you done and got pal?! Run back to yah 7 figure dreamland business’s and hope you’re paying NHI, tax and SS for those low wages employees you guys like to exploit Mon-Saturday than go church on Sunday acting all sanctimonious wid yah BS. Come out from hiding and run for the representation you say we need or back up in yah corner…
I have a banana plant with a hefty bunch that was watered from my washing machine every detergent clorox fabuloso softener everything went to that plant and it thrived and produced so I know for sure that any well in Paraquita Bay can be of use in agriculture. Stop with the silly excuses.
Let’s not kill Mather is not a Minister with a ministry portfolio, he gets his asingnments from the Premier lets all remember that. The problem with agriculture is lies with the Premier and Director if you hier an incompetent don’t expect greatness.
Not a mention of Anegada. These people jokey mehson. Not that you all don’t know this already; but Anegada you’re on your own. STILL! District 9 where is your representative? Where’s the wasteman that’s responsible for keeping you in the loop?
He is a great guy. I am glad he spoke up