Plans to establish an independent Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries body (see Tuesday newspaper) deserve consideration. They no doubt come with a price-tag, but – all the more due to St. Maarten’s lack of locally produced food and reliance on imports from overseas – in any case seem like a worthwhile endeavour.
When public funds are involved accountability is required, so the term “independent” must not be taken too strictly. It is obviously meant to function in an autonomous manner, without direct political influence.
Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten did her homework by gaining insights into related policies and legislation from the French side, St. Kitts and Barbados. She mentioned best practices that have proven successful in stimulating innovation and modernisation in their respective agrarian industries.
Memorandums of Understanding are to be signed with these partners, similar to those with the other Dutch Caribbean territories. In the first quarter of this year TEATT will embark on initiatives designed to offer financial and training support to local farmers through the so-called “country package” of reforms.
There is also a train-the-trainers hydroponics course in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS), funded by the Green Overseas (GO) programme and reportedly starting this week. Despite government’s budget constraint, efforts are thus taking place to stimulate the primary sector.
However, it’s not just about assisting and facilitating. Equally important is proper regulation including enforcement and controls particularly regarding livestock, as last year’s eyebrow-raising story in The Daily Herald about how pigs cultivated for pork meat are kept in the Cay Bay area clearly illustrated.
Especially for a tourism destination with a culinary reputation, setting and actively maintaining standards for food production and processing are essential.
The goal should therefore be to not only promote the country’s agrarian sector but help make it better. There is always room for improvement.
