Farmers across Anguilla are now of the opinion that they are at the receiving end of much recognition for their important work towards supplying the island with various types of fresh produce.
Though the external competition is great, they see their efforts – firstly as an attempt at reducing the high cost and volume of vegetable and other produce imports; and secondly as a means of saving some foreign exchange in Anguilla by reducing, through a useful fraction, the annual import bill which is probably in the area of US$100,000.
What gave the local farmers some assurance of recognition was a two-day workshop on Thursday and Friday, (October 10 and 11) at which there were addresses, on the first day, by the Minister responsible for Agriculture, Mr. Curtis Richardson, Mr. William Vanterpool, Director of Agriculture; Chief Veterinary Officer; and Dr. Patrick Vanterpool who delivered a policy document he prepared.
On the second day, the workshop took the form of an open forum and addresses by a number of persons. The speakers included Mr. William Vanterpool; Mr. Andre Samuel, a past Director of the Environment (now Director of Disaster Management and a practicing farmer); and President of the Anguilla Farmers Association, Mr. Conrad Gumbs, a vegetable farmer and keen activist for agricultural support.
“I was adamant that this workshop must take place for farmers,” Mr. Gumbs told the large gathering. “This is because farming is dear to my heart – not only because I am involved in that work, but because I know the necessity of farming and producing for the island. It is paramount that the people of Anguilla understand that we should help to feed ourselves and not depend on foreign countries all the time. We can help ourselves. Therefore, I would like to admonish you to do all you can to promote farming – whether in your backyard for pleasure or elsewhere for commercial purposes.”
Mr. Gumbs, a former Superintendent of Prisons in Anguilla, added: “Everyone here is highly appreciated. I had said in my mind that if we got ten people we would be happy, but I see that we have tripple that number and so we appreciate the crowd here. I would like everyone to participate in what is happening. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to make comments. The most important thing I want you to do is to put in practice what you will learn here at this workshop.
In addition to Mr. Samuel, who spoke on growing crops in Anguilla and various environmental challenges and solutions, other speakers included Agronomist, Mr. Corlon Vanterpool, and Horticulturalist, Mr Trenton Roach, both of whom are attached to the Department of Agriculture.
Without much prompting, the male and female farmers provided the workshop with a barrage of questions and received many satisfactory answers.
