The 2014 Annual Agricultural Exhibition has highlighted a growing need for Anguilla to feed itself through various crop and vegetable productions thereby reducing the high import bill.
Appropriately dubbed “Anguilla Feeding Anguilla”, the March 7-8 exhibition was an absorbing showpiece for the throngs of adults and schoolchildren who crowded the various produce display stalls or even the animal pens and bird cages.
For an island basically starved of rain, and not enough active and able-bodied farmers, the exhibition turned up a great deal of high-quality produce. Tomatoes, sweet peppers, pumpkins, potatoes, yams and other vegetables, as well as various fruits, filled many of the stalls and encouraged quick purchases leading in some cases to replenishments.
The Department of Agriculture led the way by showcasing its varied in-house and outreach activities. Sample vegetable and flower gardens including rock, pot and tyre gardens were conspicuously set out in several areas of the expansive agricultural grounds.
There were also fine displays of animal husbandry – a showing of some of the best breeds of sheep and goats, at the Department, for stud development on the island. Rabbits, and even two of the invading monkeys, were also on display. Privately-owned exhibits of well-developed cattle and exotic birds were among the animal and poultry displays.
Mr William Vanterpool, Director of Agriculture, noted that this year care was taken to ensure than one of the days of the exhibition was a school day to give young people an opportunity to develop an interest in agriculture. “We have seen a number of young people getting interested in agriculture, and we want to reach out to all the schools so that we can see the future of agriculture going forward,” he said. We want to congratulate all of our farmers for doing a great job. Without you, we could not have this exhibition – and we also congratulate the National Farmers’ Association, the umbrella organisation.”
President of the Farmers’ Association, Elvet Hughes, stated in part: “The theme – Anguilla Feeding Anguilla – can be seen from different points of view. Firstly, we have noticed an increase in backyard gardening which enables families to provide some of the items needed to feed themselves. This enables families to reduce spending on groceries, and to provide themselves with a healthy diet which is relatively free of pesticides as most of the crops are organically grown. Secondly, a number of farmers are able to produce vegetables for sale to the general public as well as supermarkets, restaurants and hotels. Thirdly, some farmers are able to export vegetables to neighbouring St Martin.”
Mr Hughes said that in order to narrow the gap between locally grown and imported produce there was a need for all stakeholders to take a fresh look at the agricultural sector. “There is clearly a need for a representative group of stakeholders to oversee the production and marketing of vegetables and livestock. For too long, agriculture has been viewed as a stepchild when compared with the hospitality sector which is arguably our main industry.”
He called on the Government to provide the necessary resources to enable the sector to realise its potential. He stated that there was clearly a need for the effective coordination of production and marketing of agricultural produce. He also stressed that there was a need to clarify the role of the Department of Agriculture. He saw that role as assisting farmers to increase production, thus minimising the need for imports; improving the health of the population; and food security.
Mr Hughes added: “In order to achieve these goals, there is a need for the cooperation of farmers, supermarkets, the hospitality sector and the Anguilla Community College – with the Department and the Ministry of Agriculture as the main coordinating body. This would help us to move towards our vision of Anguilla feeding Anguilla.”
Mr Kenneth Hodge, Principal Assistant Secretary in the Ministry, spoke on behalf of the Minister, Mr Jerome Roberts. “The Government of Anguilla continues to highlight the importance of agriculture, and has placed the development of this sector as one of its priority areas this year and beyond,” Mr Hodge quoted the Minister as saying. “Through the Ministry of Home Affairs, we continue to support the Department of Agriculture in its efforts to reach out and provide technical and extension services to our farmers…whether on a commercial scale or simply backyard gardening. I dare say that in a world that is seeking the appropriate interventions to overcome the difficulties of the economic crisis, agriculture has emerged as our viable option.”
The Minister’s address stressed that “agriculture was called upon to be an engine for economic growth.” It continued: “I am calling on all of our farmers, crop and livestock and commercial or backyard producers, to take advantage of this opportunity to feed Anguilla. Local food production not only reduces our growing food import bill, but also ensures our food and nutrition security. It also provides an attractive and profitable livelihood for our local producers.”
The exhibition was enhanced by a variety of food delicacies and musical entertainment.
