Local food is tasty too! Persons sample some of the local foods prepared for yesterday's World Food Day ceremony at the Breezeway, Central Administration Complex. Foods included stewed local chicken and rabbit, fried okra and fresh gourd. Photo: Reuben Stoby/VINO

Chief Agricultural Officer, Bevin Braithwaite

This is according to Chief Agricultural Officer Mr. Bevin Braithwaite, who delivered the feature address at a ceremony at the Breezeway, Central Administration Complex on October 17, 2011 to commemorate World Food Day, which was observed on Sunday under the theme “Food Prices- From Crisis to Stability”.

According to Mr. Braithwaite, food prices have continued to rise over the past few years and in fact the cost of living has been rising since 2005 and has not stopped going up. He further said the Development Planning Unit disclosed that the VI Consumer Price Index (CPI) from August 2010 to August 2011 rose 2.9 percent. The consumer price index is a measure of the average change over time in the price paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. “We have seen an upward trend from August 2010 to 2011 in the British Virgin Islands. The price for fresh vegetables rose 10.4 percent, the price of meat and meat preparations rose 4 percent.”

The Chief Agricultural Officer noted that there are many factors that affect the price of food including Climate Change. “The Ministry of Natural Resources has been informing us about climate change and the effect that it has on the environment and agriculture, however, climate change is not the only dynamic that affects the cost of food. Other factors contributing to the rise in cost of food produced locally and imported include the rise in cost of seed, the rise in cost of and availability of labour, the lack of constant water supply, locally the demand for food far exceeds supply, the rise in cost of feed and the skyrocketing rise in gasoline prices. The price of gasoline rose from 31.2 percent from August 2010 to August 2011 in the BVI.”

On the important question of what could be done in the Territory in the face of these daunting statistics and intimidating factors, Mr. Braithwaite said consumers can buy as much local produce that is available. “When we shop locally we reduce our import bill so the funds stay and are circulated in the BVI. Also when consumers demand more the farmers are further encouraged to supply thus bringing a somewhat balance to the demand and supply theory.”

Commenting on the pivotal role of farmers, Mr. Braithwaite said they are producers, entrepreneurs and suppliers and that they have to understand the business of farming by studying trends, measuring inputs and setting prices that are comfortable while affordable for the consumer.

“Farmers can also implement simple and affordable technological advances that can increase yield without increasing expenses so that they do not suffer a loss. What would also be beneficial to farmers and the end consumers is if the producers collaborate to share the cost of importation of feed, labour and choice of crop that they plan,” Mr. Braithwaite opined.

He also said the consumer and the producer can work hand in hand while Government creates the atmosphere by offering technical expertise and encouraging and investing in local agriculture to make farming viable thus causing savings for the consumer.