Agriculture sector faces slow progress, Premier admits

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has admitted that the agricultural sector has been progressing slowly, despite several government initiatives to revitalize the industry.

Dr Wheatley acknowledged the challenges during a recent JTV interview, saying, “I would agree with you, it has been slow and I’m not pleased about it. So I’m hopeful now that things are like the wheels have started to turn that we can gain some momentum and move forward with pace.”

The Premier noted that steps have been taken to advance the sector.

“We’ve gotten to breathe some life into agriculture in recent times. So we are moving to break ground on a reservoir that’s going into the hill in Paraquita Bay. We’ve also contracted a company to be able to complete the designs for the agriculture and fisheries complex,” he explained.

Efforts also include a grant programme for farmers, training initiatives through the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and allocating lands in Anegada and Virgin Gorda for agricultural development. “We have a grant program. We have training through the OECS. We’ve allocated lands, we’re surveying those lands in Anegada and Virgin Gorda. So things are happening in the agriculture and fisheries space,” Dr Wheatley stressed.