Remarks by Rt. Hon Hubert A. Ingraham at the Opening of Third Agri-Business Expo

Thu, Mar 3rd 2011, 05:50 PM

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good morning.

I am delighted to participate in the opening of this third Agri-Business Expo. This Expo represents the culmination of fairs held in most of the Family Islands to raise awareness of the variety of products being farmed and fished by our agriculture and fisheries sectors.

I commend the Hon. Larry Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, and Mr. Edison Key, Chairman of he Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC), the staff of the Departments of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Cooperative Development, and the staff of BAIC who have collaborated on the hosting of this event.



Agriculture and fisheries hold a special place in our national consciousness. Bahamian history illustrates the inextricable link between these sectors and the development of communities throughout our archipelago, whether sports fishing in Bimini or commercial fisheries in Spanish Wells; harvesting cascarilla in Acklins or growing pineapples in Eleuthera or onions in Exuma.

There have been important changes in the agriculture and fisheries sectors, particularly during the last 10 years. Today, the tools and equipment of the sector reflect the technology associated with this age, including global positioning devices (GPS), readily available weather forecasts, genetically modified seed, and irrigation systems.

The policy environment has had to respond to the times in terms of environmental sustainability, socio-economic impacts, the management of the transborder movement of animals and plants, and of pests and diseases that affect them. And, all of these are subject to fairly tight international supervision.

Indeed, the adoption of the appropriate procedures to ensure the safety of fresh and processed food is now as important to the policy framework for agriculture and fisheries as is the amount of food we produce and export.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Earlier this year, I noted that oil prices were rising with direct implications for the production, supply and cost of food internationally. Continued turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East suggests that these concerns may not abate for some time with the related effect of rising food prices for the foreseeable future.

Increased attention continues to be paid to the impact on marine resources of rising global temperatures and sea levels. The specific impact on our marine resources remains unknown though there are estimates that are alarming.

On the export side, the marketing of agricultural and fisheries products has become more complex. In addition to meeting consumer expectations with respect to quality and presentation, ethical and environmental issues are also critical in determining whether a product will find favour in the marketplace.

A well-formulated and articulated plan with specific and quantifiable targets is therefore a necessary step in addressing the challenges and realizing the opportunities in the global environment.

I am pleased, therefore, that the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources is actively pursuing targeted programmes to improve and increase agricultural and marine resource production in a sustainable manner.



A Five-Year Strategic Plan for the agriculture and fisheries sectors was adopted last year with a view to ensuring that these important sectors receive the necessary support to ensure both viability and sustainability in the years ahead.

Toward this end the regulatory and institutional framework of the Department of Agriculture is being strengthened and greater focus is being placed upon the adoption of internationally acceptable good agricultural practices. I am assured that goals outlined in the Agriculture Plan address all aspects of the food system including the production, processing, distribution, marketing and consumption of safe food.

I commend the Ministry’s efforts to address constraints experienced in the sector including for example improving access to credit by giving producers greater security of tenure to land.

I am encouraged by the success of the Department’s initiatives in introducing new technology to increase production, improve standards and foster linkages with the community. Appreciable results have been achieved in the production of limes, mangos, avocados, onions, sweet potatoes and cassava. I was especially impressed with progress being had in North Andros where I had the opportunity to visit recently accompanied by Minister Cartwright and Chairman Key.

And, I commend the Ministry’s Backyard Gardening Programme which encouraged New Providence households to produce some of their own food. This is a timely project, given projected rising food costs, but also important as we seek to promote and support healthier eating and lifestyles among our citizens as well as the production of organic crops.

Moreover, the Backyard Gardening Programme is a part of a mini-revolution in agriculture in terms of our attitudes about farming as well as helping an increasingly urban Bahamas to reconnect to the land.

As a farmer himself hailing from Long Island, the Minister of Agriculture knows intimately the great benefits of small scale gardening and farming. I again applaud him for his outstanding leadership, this time in relation to a programme that has issued more than 4,000 kits to Bahamians to garden in their own backyard.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The marine resources in our archipelago are enjoyed by commercial, recreational and subsistence fishers. Multiple uses require appropriate regulation so that one activity is not permitted to unfavourably impact the sustainability of another.

The Department of Marine Resources has been involved in two significant initiatives meant to ensure sustainable use of our fisheries resources. These include: the expansion of marine parks and the Fisheries Improvement Project.

A number of new marine reserves were created last year in the following areas:



* South Berry Islands * Jewfish Cay, Exuma * North Bimini * Crab Cay, Abaco * No Name Cay, Abaco



An important component of the Fisheries Improvement Project is the improvement of the collection of biological, environmental and social data to inform marine resource management decisions. Such information is required to enable us to certify that Bahamian marine products not only meet international food safety standards but also to confirm that they are harvested in a sustainable manner.

This is especially important as international trade in marine produce increasingly requires such certification for marine products to be able to access the international market.

Along with these programmes aimed at protecting marine habitats and safeguarding access to international markets for Bahamian marine products, the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources continues to coordinate with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in combating poaching.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am especially pleased to recognize the continuing efforts of The Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation in providing training opportunities to hundreds of Bahamians annually in a variety of areas including handicraft manufacture using shells, coconuts, straw, sisal and batik dyeing. This programme is winning rich reward.

The growth in the number of entrepreneurs producing authentic Bahamian-made products of quality is enormously encouraging. It speaks to the possibilities of a multimillion dollar souvenir industry that has extraordinary potential to provide millions of tourists with authentic Bahamian handicraft, souvenirs, straw work and other products. Because this industry is widely dispersed around our Family Islands the benefits are also spread throughout our islands.

The improvement in the quality and availability of these handicraft and souvenirs is evident in the number of such goods being sold in stores throughout the country, including items which I recently saw displayed at the opening of the new U.S. Departure Terminal at LPIA.

This is all a matter of Bahamian pride and a testament to the success of the programme and the innovation and creativity of the men and women involved in handicraft.

In terms of the handicraft and souvenir industry, we must meet two challenges. First, we must create products which are beautifully designed and well-finished in terms of craftsmanship and detail. We should not stint in the effort to make our Bahamian handicraft products of great aesthetic value.

Second, we must be reliable in producing an inventory. This has often been a problem in this industry. One day the product is available then the next day there is a gap in supply. If we are to meet world standards we must be reliable in meeting demand for affordable and quality products.

I wish to thank the many exhibitors who have travelled from their communities in various Family Islands to be here over the course of the next three days.

I am often amazed by the products which I find when I travel through our Family Islands. I thank you for being here so that Nassau residents can appreciate some of what is produced throughout our far-flung archipelago.

Finally, I wish you every success over these days, and in your future endeavours. You make The Bahamas proud. We will continue to honour your hard work through policies and programmes which will take our agricultural, fisheries, and handicraft and souvenirs industries to greater heights.

Thank you.

 Sponsored Ads