It has been observed, for some time now, that a number of farmers in Anguilla are losing several crops of vegetables such as tomatoes and sweet peppers. This is seen in such areas as Wallblake Estate and The Valley Bottom, where lots of farmland have been made available to enterprising farmers.
It is not known whether too many of these vegetable crops are being cultivated at one time, creating a glut on the market; or whether the crops are encountering severe drought, thus hindering proper development and maturity of produce. But then, the crops are being irrigated, benefitting from the Government’s specially-reduced water rates.
Some of the vegetables are seen strewn in the furrows of the banks. This either suggests that the vegetables, particularly tomatoes, are water-starved, causing them to wither away and fall to the ground; or there is no local market for them.
Whatever is the problem, it is a waste of local tomatoes, known to be tasty, fresh and far better than the imported ones. If it is a marketing problem, it is regrettable – and means that the imports are overwhelming, thereby leaving no room for the sale of local produce.
There has been much talk about Government assisting farmers with cheaper water. But if there is no market for their produce, it is a waste of their time, energy, farming techniques, produce, and the water fees they pay – however reduced.
There appears to be a longstanding need for a Produce Marketing Officer to work with farmers to get more of their produce into the supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and on the tables of residents. It is acknowledged that, in order for this system to work properly, it will require a substantial amount of farming and produce to keep the local market supplied and sustainable; and to provide a reasonable amount of employment for a Produce Marketing Officer.
