The first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Horticulture in Saba, in session. Present are Commissioner Rolando Wilson (at head of table), Chairman of the Committee Vernon Liburd (right), Mopsy Every (second from left), Reid Barnes, Sr. (left) and secretary of the Committee Menno van der Velde (second from right).
SABA--Commissioner of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry Rolando Wilson late last week established an Advisory Committee on Horticulture in Saba.
According to the Commissioner, the various horticulture activities in Saba need some more structure and expert advice to make the activities in this area more effective and efficient. “Although government is no farming expert, it has an obligation to make sure that [its – Ed.] people are able to grow and/or buy enough fresh vegetables and fruits to lead a healthy life,” said Wilson.
The commissioner explained that for this reason, government some time ago initiated the farm at Zion’s Hill and the garden in The Level. Next to these projects, government is executing the project to set up a hydroponic farm at Rendezvous and green houses for both schools, as well as Benevolent Foundation.
The commissioner said the COVID-19 epidemic has made it very clear that Saba needs to become less dependent on the import of fruits and vegetables. “That is why we also need to strengthen our home gardening by the people.”
The established Advisory Committee on Horticulture, which consists of private citizens and Head of the Agricultural Department Randall Johnson, will advise the commissioner how to strengthen home gardening and to make the executing of horticulture activities and projects more efficient and effective.
