Minister of Agriculture Highlights Significant Increase in Local Food Production

St. Kitts and Nevis Farmers Seeing Increased Demand for Local Produce

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Honourable Samal Duggins, said the numerous interventions and assistance provided by the ministry to the farming community, from land preparation to the final stage of consumption, has resulted in a significant increase in agricultural production to the point where retailers in St. Kitts and Nevis are now purchasing greater quantities of local produce—putting more money in the hands of local farmers.

Hon. Samal Duggins.

“We have gone to every single supermarket in this country and they are now buying more local produce,” said Minister Duggins. “RAMS is buying more local produce, Valu Mart is buying more local produce, Best Buy is buying more local produce, even some of the Chinese supermarkets we have here are buying more local produce.”

Strategic Steps to Prevent Post-Production Losses

While the farmers are now producing more, the Ministry of Agriculture took several strategic steps to prevent or limit post-production losses through training and improving storage capacity. In this regard, the ministry procured and installed two new walk-in chillers at the Tabernacle Outreach Center.

Export Opportunities for Local Produce

Recognising that St. Kitts and Nevis is now producing an abundance of food, Minister Duggins said he has held fruitful discussions with relevant authorities in neighbouring islands to facilitate the export of excess locally grown produce.

“The minister of agriculture for Saint Martin was here on a mission and said that they are ready to trade with St. Kitts and Nevis. The commissioner from Sint Eustatius [Statia] was here on a mission and said it herself that they are ready to trade with St. Kitts and Nevis. The Premier of the BVI was here, who happens to be the minister of agriculture in the BVI, also said it himself that he’s ready to trade with St. Kitts and Nevis,” the honourable minister stated. “The commissioner of agriculture in the USVI has said that he’s ready to trade with St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla is ready to trade with St. Kitts and Nevis and other countries around the region are ready to trade with St. Kitts and Nevis.”

Budgetary Allocations for 2025

A total of $19.4 million is proposed for the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Fisheries to facilitate Recurrent Expenditure, representing a 4.8 percent increase when compared to 2024. In addition, Capital Expenditure totalling $14.9 million is proposed for 2025, representing a 58.7 percent increase when compared to the resources allocated in 2024.

Minister Duggins said these Budgetary allocations will allow the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources to continue its support of the farming community, enabling them to produce even more and thereby moving St. Kitts and Nevis closer to food security which is a strategic pillar of the government’s Sustainable Island State Agenda.

Conclusion

The Honourable Samal Duggins’ remarks highlight the significant progress made by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources in increasing local food production and creating opportunities for farmers to sell their produce to retailers. The ministry’s strategic steps to prevent post-production losses and its efforts to facilitate the export of excess produce demonstrate its commitment to achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis.

FAQs

Q: What is the current state of local food production in St. Kitts and Nevis?
A: According to Minister Duggins, the numerous interventions and assistance provided by the ministry to the farming community have resulted in a significant increase in agricultural production, with retailers now purchasing greater quantities of local produce.

Q: What measures has the Ministry of Agriculture taken to prevent post-production losses?
A: The ministry has taken several strategic steps to prevent or limit post-production losses through training and improving storage capacity, including the procurement and installation of two new walk-in chillers at the Tabernacle Outreach Center.

Q: Are there any export opportunities for local produce?
A: Yes, Minister Duggins has held fruitful discussions with relevant authorities in neighbouring islands to facilitate the export of excess locally grown produce, with several countries expressing interest in trading with St. Kitts and Nevis.