NICHOLLS TOWN - The agricultural potential of Andros has caught the attention of China?s Ambassador to The Bahamas His Excellency Hu Dingxian.

?You have everything here,? said Mr Hu. ?All we really need is some organization and some co-ordination to make people realize the significance of agriculture to the nation. In China we say agriculture is the lifeblood of the nation.

?Especially at this time, something must be done in agriculture to enhance the prospects of food security. There is great potential here on Andros.?

Mr Hu and first secretary Tan Jian accompanied a high-level Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) team to Andros last weekend led by executive chairman Edison Key.

He hailed Mr. Key as ?a very devoted man committed to his responsibility. With him at the helm we are sure we can do a lot here in this beautiful country.?

They were accompanied by Dr Marikis Alverez of the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation in Agriculture, general manager Benjamin Rahming, and assistant general managers Joyce Treco and Arnold Dorsett and were welcomed by Administrator Dr Huntley Christie, Chief Counselor Brian Cleare, local and central government officials and farmers.

The team toured Ministry of Agriculture facilities, farms, the North Andros High School agriculture project and the proposed sites for the agro industrial park and the nursery.

Farmers embraced the Chinese?s visit. North Andros Farmers Association vice president Caleb Evans said, ?We got the impression that they are sincere in their willingness to assist us.

?We are also grateful to BAIC and the chairman Mr. Key for the things they are doing to enhance agricultural production in North Andros. We are already seeing the benefits from that.

?More farmers are coming on stream and acreage under cultivation is increasing. Continued at this pace and soon we could put a serious dent in the amount of food products we import.?

Executive chairman Key promotes Andros as ?the breadbasket of The Bahamas.?

Already, three new farm tractors and two refrigerated trailers have been bought for farmers in North Andros since Mr. Key?s appointment. He urged Bahamians to tap into the estimated $500 million used to import food products.

?The Government is beginning to realize that putting as much emphasis as it does on tourism and banking is good, but you still need food. While I am at BAIC I hope to do all I can to support farmers throughout The Bahamas to create and develop this industry,? said Mr Key.

Photo: BAIC chairman Edison Key (left) and China?s Ambassador to The Bahamas His Excellency Hu Dingxian inspect tomatoes at the government?s North Andros packing house. Also pictured from right are IICA representative Dr Marikis Alverez and Domestic Investment Officer Alphonso Smith. (BIS Photo/Gladstone Thurston)