BAIC has started construction of two of a series of greenhouses as part of the proposed agri-industrial park for North Andros.Executive chairman Edison M. Key told of “a cluster of greenhouses when the project is finished” heralding modern agricultural practices for Bahamian farmers.
Mr. Key and a BAIC executive team inspected progress of the work on Tuesday. General manager Benjamin Rahming, assistant general managers Judith Thompson (land) and Arnold Dorsett (agriculture) accompanied him. The Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture representative in the Bahamas, Dr. Marikis Alvarez, also joined the trip.
“This is a step in the right direction,” said Mr. Key. “Through these greenhouse projects we should be able to boost the agricultural sector and help bring the country nearer to some semblance of food security and self sufficiency.”
All equipment for the full operation of the 30-by-90-foot greenhouses — one of steel and the other wooden — are in place, said Mr. Key.
One greenhouse was purchased through Jamaica Drip. Personnel from the company are in Andros supervising its erection. The wooden structure is being built through local contractor Caleb Evans. They are expected to be completed within two weeks.
The intention is that through the greenhouses we will be able to introduce our farmers to hydroponics and the propagation of fruit trees and plants for distribution nationwide.
“It is just a matter of training,” he said. “We have to put the program in place to teach our people what is needed to move the agricultural sector to the next level.”
As the need arises, BAIC has available land to expand greenhouse project. The intention is to lease the facilities to qualified persons, he said.
“To any company or individuals interested in light industry, we can make lots available right away in the industrial park,” he said.
BAIC has also prepared acres of pasture and made quality livestock available to operators in the North Andros satellite farms.
“There are about 1,600 acres in that area that is basically doing very little,” he noted. “The land has been prepared and should be utilised and made available to people who want to get involved in food production."
“On that alone, if put into pasture and laid out in plots, could grow thousands of goats and sheep. I hope we can inspire those in Nassau and elsewhere to come back home and help build North Andros."
“North Andros on its own has the potential to feed The Bahamas and export food. We have to move in that direction."
“All of the items that we go into the supermarket and just pick up and take for granted, it is time for us to grow them ourselves, and they can be grown here quite easily.”
