The completion of an Agroecology Programme by 35 persons of whom 28 were awarded their certificates last week (see Thursday edition) was welcome news. The importance of more home-grown food is increasingly evident.
Reasons can always be found to discard farming, like excessive heat, a shortage of available land, lack of affordable freshwater resources, insufficient related collective facilities, and inconsistent, inadequate markets for local produce. However, with effort, dedication and using available modern – yet proven – techniques and approaches, these seemingly prohibitive factors can be mitigated to such an extent that it becomes feasible.
The Community Development, Family and Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) Department of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA as well as Spaceless Gardens deserve kudos for this initiative. If just half the participants do something with the knowledge and hands-on experience they gained, that will have been worth it.
Courses alone are obviously not enough. Active stimulation of activity in the field without undermining free trade and competition remains crucial going forward.
VSA Minister Omar Ottley mentioned that this was already a third graduation ceremony. He said the programme “blends in perfectly” with his plans as interim Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT).
Coincidentally or not, a report in the same paper stated that the Council of Ministers had approved St. Maarten’s first-ever National Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Policy presented by TEATT. Its main objective is strengthening and ensuring food security, no luxury by any means on a small island almost exclusively dependent on imports and prone to tropical cyclones.
That won’t happen from one day to the next by any means, but one must start somewhere and government having a blueprint for the advancement of this sector can certainly make a significant positive difference. Apart from reducing the country’s vulnerability in terms of survival, doing so is desirable to counteract rising prices abroad, help diversify the tourism economy and promote healthier diets.
While achieving greater self-reliance and sustainability is no doubt easier said than done, you generally get the results you work for.
