Senators Hear of Strategic Agriculture Plan

Sen. Carla Joseph, chairwoman of the Committee on Government Operations and Consumer Protection, said Wednesday a resolution honoring the Agriculture and Food Fair Board of Directors, the University of the Virgin Islands, and the Department of Agriculture for 50 years in promoting and hosting the Agriculture and Food Fair, was a “no-brainer.” She said the senators understand the importance of agriculture, and “we all here are supportive of agriculture.”

Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger, whose husband is a farmer, said although this legislation was important the Senate needed to put “money where its mouth is.”

Senators might have the chance to do that starting next month. In his testimony, David Hall, president of UVI, said a comprehensive plan to increase agriculture production and food security for the territory would be made public on May 10. He is a member of the task force created by the Senate to create the report.

Sen. Marvin Blyden said he was looking forward to seeing the plan and determining what the Senate could do to help. Hall said he looked forward to “engaging with the senators concerning the plan to make the future brighter.”