Ribbon Cutting At Agricultural Trade Show
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
September 10, 2009 (SKNIS)
The continued diversification of the agricultural sector was highlighted as an ongoing priority for the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis at the opening of the Taiwan Agricultural Machinery and Trade Show, on Thursday.
Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas stressed this point while making remarks commemorating the hosting of the three-day event being staged at the National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Center.
“This event illustrates the relevance of pursuing agriculture as a key pillar of our country’s development,” the St. Kitts and Nevis leader said. “Even though we emphasize that [the] new economy is based on services “¦ it also is totally dependent upon a diversified agricultural sector that is presently in “¦ its development.”
“It is very important that we are successful in bringing about a revolution in our agriculture, specifically in food crop production to ensure food security and to significantly assist in reducing our own food import bill,” he added.
Prime Minister Douglas noted that it was important to develop appropriate levels of food processing, and to secure better linkages with the tourism industry. This will enable locals to enjoy the opportunities that will be created from the growth of the sector which includes avenues of employment and entrepreneurship.
“It is for such reason that we are very pleased with the degree of collaboration taking place between the Department of Agriculture and the (Taiwanese) Agricultural Mission,” said the Prime Minister. “The research on various food and food crops has been effective over the past years, and farmers have benefited from such research. This kind of collaboration will continue into the future with adaptations taking place as required.”
Resident Taiwanese Ambassador His Excellency Rong Chuan Wu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and explained that the level of agricultural assistance is about to blossom.
“We are going to establish a new demonstration farm in Newtown Ground,” he disclosed, referring to the relocation of the current cultivation site. “That area will [be] another agriculture base to serve farmers in this Federation.”
He encouraged residents, in particular young people to attend the trade show to get a sense of the current technologies and the emerging tools in agriculture. These include smaller, affordable equipment such as power tillers, calibrators and the like.
After the opening ceremony, the Governor General His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, Deputy Governor General His Excellency Eustace John as well as Minister of Agriculture Honourable Cedric Liburd joined Prime Minister Douglas on a tour of the exhibits.
The public can experience the Taiwan Agricultural Machinery and Trade Show from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. It concludes on Saturday, September 12, 2009.