Chief Agricultural Officer, Mr. Bevin Braithwaite giving remarks at the 2012 Farmers' Week Opening Ceremony. Photo: provided

The seminar will be held on Tortola at the Training Division Conference Room on Monday April 15, 2013 and on Virgin Gorda at the Flax Building on Wednesday April 17, 2013.

The training is divided into two days to accommodate farmers from the Virgin Gorda to Anegada communities and the Tortola to Jost Van Dyke communities. The training is due to the collaborative efforts of CIBC FirstCaribbean and the Department of Agriculture.

Chief Agricultural Officer, Mr. Bevin Braithwaite told the Department of Information and Public Relations, “This training is to accommodate the needs of an industry that we want to see thrive. Some farmers may not know of the opportunities in growth and development or the opportunities that can be offered to them through the financial sector. So our department is trying to get this information to them.”

He added, “This training is absolutely necessary and will only add to economic growth of the entire Territory. There are some farmers I know that if, handed the tools, they can revolutionise farming here in the Virgin Islands. This training is a small push towards that revolution.”

Farmers can register and get more information at the Department of Agriculture or call 495-2110. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, April 10. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour is committed to effectively managing, preserving and administering the Territory’s natural resources in a manner that ensures long term sustainability.