Mr. Hugh Lake (right) and friend 
L-R: Salih Raheem Abdur, Agricultural officer Mr. William Vanterpool, Mr. Rayme Lake and Mr. Othlyn Vanterpool with others
The people of Anguilla have been assured that grocery imports into the island will not be affected as a cargo service is still in operation notwithstanding the curbs on passenger travel in the wake of the COVID-19.
However, the Department of Agriculture has come forward to encourage farmers and other persons to grow and sell more produce for the local market. In fact, it has gone a step further to arrange to purchase produce from farmers and to sell the same at the Food Strip to passers-by.
Willy Vanterpool, Director of Agriculture, spoke to The Anguillian newspaper about the matter.
“Especially at this time of the coronavirus and food security, we need to be self-sufficient. In view of this we, from the Department of Agriculture, did a survey to see exactly what the farmers have and how long our local food security can last,” he stated. “We also went to the supermarkets to find out how much food they had and how long that would last.
“We reported back to the National Emergency Operations Centre and we are satisfied that we have enough food to last for at least one month. We have all the assurance that importation would not be a problem unless, of course, America stops sending imports. However, the ports are open for cargo so we are on the way to getting our food supplies in.
“At the same time, we are encouraging local people to start producing even more than they were doing before. You can have old tyres in your backyard and plant some things in them. There are some short-term crops like okras, beans and other foodstuffs you can grow within a very short time. This would enable us to have more foodstuff during this perilous time.”
