According to Braithwaite, the VI community in the past survived and thrived because of an inherent sense of unity, selflessness, cooperation, pure love of country, and plain common-sense.

“We effectively used the advantages intrinsic to a small community, instant communication, simplicity, and looking for one another,” Braithwaite pointed out.

This year’s week of activities is being observed under the theme, “Celebrating 20 years of BVI culture through agriculture” which wraps up with a Food Fair on February 17, 2012.

To this end, the Chief Agricultural Officer is of the view that farmers, united as associations, cooperatives, organizations will be able to import more cheaply, request more and better concessions from Government, attract profitable market access, and help build the institutions that are vital to developing an agricultural industry. The potential benefits are infinite, and the ultimate outcome will be self- reliance for our farmers in the VI.

He told a large crowd that “the process will take genuine effort on the part of many persons” but if the VI is to achieve significant food security, the farmers must be self- reliant to a meaningful extent and disclosed that his department – the Agriculture Department - is ready and willing to advise and guide farmers in the proper procedure and nuances.

Meanwhile, Braithwaite revealed that the department has made efforts in crucial areas with an eye to the future. He noted that the initiatives reflect the philosophy that guides the Department to focus on direction and quality.

These include: A livestock breeding programme involving the introduction of new more productive blood lines of sheep, goat, cattle, rabbits and pigs, which will provide fresh seed stock for livestock farmers.

ii. Rehabilitation of the National Abattoir to ensure improved sanitation and facilitate meat inspection, certification and, wholesomeness for the consuming public. iii. Increased to a useful degree, the laboratory diagnostic capacity of the Veterinary Division in order to monitor animal and veterinary public health diseases of significance. iv. On-going discussions with the Department of Conservations and Fisheries on the VI’s potential for fish and sea food farming. v. Strengthened the Dogs (Prevention of injury to Humans, Poultry and Livestock) Act, and increased the capacity of the BVI dog control campaign.

vi. And strengthened quarantine and border control to prevent the introduction of exotic disease of animal and human significance.