Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/4651/-1/140/

Albert Hughes : "EAT WHAT WE GROW, GROW WHAT WE EAT" Children Crowd Exhibition

There is a growing interest in farming in Anguilla and other industrial activities as has been seen late last week at the annual exhibition.

The Opening Ceremony

It was Anguilla’s Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition which was held on the grounds of the Agricultural Department on Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21.

Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for Agriculture, Albert Hughes, congratulated the Department and the National Farmers’ Association for another successful exhibition, for their hard work and determination and for getting young people involved in farming.

This and other photos are scenes of the exhibition

“I am very impressed by the level of production taking place in the Valley just across the road,” Mr. Hughes said, referring to the Crown Land made available to farmers for vegetable production using drip irrigation. “This pilot project has already started to revolutionise agriculture in Anguilla. We are now seeing similar projects developing mainly at Wallblake, Rey Hill and the Quarter areas. I would like to encourage farmers in other areas to follow the lead of the Valley project so that we can see an increase in vegetable production island-wide.”

Mr. Hughes called on the people of the island to feed themselves and to reduce their dependence on imports. “We need to eat what we grow and grow what we eat,” he went on. “Since taking up my post in the Government, I have ensured that agriculture is given the recognition it truly deserves. We have recently commissioned two new and modern tractors for the Department of Agriculture and the National Farmers’ Association. We have also ensured that the staff has been increased and trained so that they are equipped to assist farmers with their farming needs.”

He said the vegetables, including cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet peppers and egg plant, were of a high quality to meet the requirements of the local market, patronised by hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and members of the public.

Earlier, President of the Farmers’ Association, Elvet Hughes, also encouraged farmers outside the Valley area to get involved in agricultural production. He noted that water for farming was a difficult matter outside the Valley. He observed that although Government had provided reduced rates, when farmers went beyond using two and a half thousands gallons of water, the rates would begin to go up considerably. He therefore requested Government to consider offering a lower rate.

“Another challenge is the marketing of our produce. Sometimes we have a glut and there is nowhere to market our vegetables,” he complained. “The hotels and supermarkets would take our produce, but we need to have organised marketing strategies so that we know what is coming on stream. We would then be able to ask the hotels and supermarkets not to order from abroad because within the next two weeks we will have tomatoes, peppers etc.”

He called for the employment of a Marketing Officer to assist farmers in getting their vegetable crops sold locally.

Director of Agriculture, William Vanterpool, spoke about the new farming techniques recently introduced and the array of machinery on display as well as the various exhibits of produce and special breed of animals.

During the opening ceremony, Hyacinth T. Hughes, representing the Anguilla Beautification Club, announced the results of the re-established Best Village Competition held in partnership with the Anguilla Tourist Board and involving the participation of five villages.
In first place was Long Bay with 32.7 points; second, Sandy Ground with 24.3 points; third, Upper South Hill, scoring 24 points; fourth, Lower South Hill, 22.3 points; and in fifth place, North Hill with 20.6 points. The Anguilla Beautification Club will be distributing the prizes later.

Deputy Director of Agriculture, Wilma Proctor, gave the Vote of Thanks.

The exhibition featured a number of stalls mounted by farmers, the majority of whom showcased and sold some of the best quality produce seen in recent times and largely grown by drip irrigation. In addition to the produce were industrial stalls featuring home-made drinks and other delicacies, ornamental and floral plants. The Agricultural Department exhibited a number of specially-bred animals aimed at improving the quality of livestock on the island as well as various exotic birds which attracted the interest of children.

The theme of the exhibition was “Encouraging youth involvement in technology to ensure national food security.” The large number of school children who crowded the exhibition grounds provided a splendid opportunity to get across that message.

| Back to normal page view | Send this article to a friend |