A farmer gleefully promotes his business at Agrifest on St Croix, US Virgin Islands on February 15, 2020. Photo: VI Consortium

Commissioner of Agriculture in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), Mr Positive T. A. Nelson has said a collaboration of the the US Virgin Islands (USVI) and Virgin Islands (VI) can play a major role in promoting ‘growing more locally’. This idea was supported by Deputy Speaker of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA), Honourable Neville A Smith (AL), right. Photo: VINO

Donkeys on display at Agrifest 2020. Photo: VINO

Locally made jellies at Agrifest 2020. Photo: VINO

Local food on sale at Agrifest 2020 on February 15, 2020. Photo: VINO

Livestock at Agrifest 2020. Photo: VINO

Speaking to a local reporter who was part of a delegation from Tortola that attended the event on Saturday, February 15, 2020, thanks to transportation sponsored by the Government of the Virgin Islands, Mr Nelson spoke of a possible collaboration between the two territories to promote agriculture.

Having served as chair in the senate previously, Mr Nelson said he has attended agriculture activities on Tortola, "and I want to get back in touch with that so we could really fuse these two things together and make it better."

Mr Nelson, who recently travelled with a delegation to the Virgin Islands for the 8th Inter-Virgin Islands Council on February 4, 2020, said he nudged the idea to Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A Fahie (R1).

"Not formally but its in the concept and I am looking forward to having the discussion developed,” he said while noting that he appreciates the Greater Virgin Islands concept.

Mr Nelson also thanked the many persons who traveled from Tortola for the event, which is also known as Agrifest.

‘It’s all about networking’- Neville A. Smith

Deputy Speaker of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA), Honourable Neville A Smith (AL), who led the Tortola delegation to St Croix, said he is in full support of the idea of collaboration on promoting agriculture.

"I say the same thing also because when you look at it, if we can get at least 10 farmers to come from St Croix, St Thomas, St John to the BVI it could also boost our economy in agriculture and also we can come over here (St Croix) and network. Its all about networking."

According Hon Smith, the government's sponsorship of farmers, fisherfolks and others to attend Agrifest is part of the strategy to reignite agriculture in the VI.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr was also present and expressed joy that Agrifest is finally back to its full bloom after the hurricanes of 2017.

"The most beautiful thing is the togetherness of the people," he told reporters.

The BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission (BVITB &FC) had a booth at the event and among the delegation that travelled from Tortola was its Chairperson, Mrs Kenisha A. Sprauve.