Cabinet Undertakes Tree-Planting Initiative Ahead of Independence Day

Background

Led by Acting Premier the Honourable Eric Evelyn, Minister of Agriculture, and Her Honour Hyleeta Libured O.B.E., M.H., Deputy Governor-General for Nevis, the Cabinet undertook the initiative ahead of Independence Day on September 18. Each official planted a different type of young fruit tree at the Malcolm Guishard Recreational Park.

Purpose of the Initiative

“We were happy that we were able to plant fruit trees because we in the Nevis Island Administration and particularly from the Ministry and the Department of Agriculture, have been pushing food security,” said the Acting Premier.

“We want more persons to get involved in food security and we want to plant more of what we eat and eat more of what we grow, and so as members of Cabinet of the Nevis Island Administration, we are actually leading from the front and showing persons how important it is to get involved in planting and planting fruit trees,” the Acting Premier said.

Previous Efforts

He noted for the tree-planting exercise in 2023, the Cabinet planted young coconut trees at the MGR Park, which are growing nicely and should start bearing fruit in a few short years.

Encouragement to Get Involved

The Minister of Agriculture encouraged others to get involved and underscored the importance of planting more trees.

“We want to encourage other persons on Nevis and of course in the Federation to get involved in agriculture to plant a tree, whether it’s a fruit tree or any tree whatsoever. Trees are very important to the environment, very important to us to provide oxygen and most of our fruit trees provide fruits for food security,” the Minister said.

Cabinet Members Involved

The Cabinet members who planted trees were the Honourable Spencer Brand, the Honourable Troy Liburd, the Honourable Jahnel Nisbett, Cabinet Secretary Mr. Stedmon Tross, and Legal Counsel Mrs. Helene Lewis. They were assisted by MGR Park Facility Manager Mr. Dane Sandiford and members of his grounds team.

Conclusion

The tree-planting initiative is a significant step towards promoting food security and sustainability in Nevis. The Cabinet’s efforts to lead by example and encourage others to get involved in agriculture are commendable. As the trees grow and bear fruit, they will provide a tangible reminder of the importance of food security and the role that each individual can play in achieving it.

FAQs

Q: What was the purpose of the tree-planting initiative?
A: The purpose was to promote food security and sustainability in Nevis.

Q: Who was involved in the initiative?
A: The Cabinet members, including the Acting Premier, Minister of Agriculture, and other officials, were involved in the initiative.

Q: What type of trees were planted?
A: Different types of young fruit trees were planted, including coconut trees.

Q: Why is food security important?
A: Food security is important because it ensures that people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and lead active and healthy lives.