Businessman urges local farmers to produce more
This call was made by the proprietor of AValue Supermarket, Mr Deon M. Vanterpool during an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online. Mr Vanterpool's business has been recognised as one of the leading supermarkets in the Virgin Islands that has made a lifetime commitment to support local farmers and other producers by purchasing and selling their items.
AValue has its business stretched across Tortola, with one store at Sea Cows Bay, East End and the other in Huntum's Ghut. "What we try to do is to support the local community as far as possible, even some of the persons that are very active in the community with basketball....We are right now supporting local farmers and persons with local products," Mr Vanterpool said.
The youthful businessman said the growth of the agriculture sector and the community hinges greatly on locals supporting what is and can be produced in the Virgin Islands. "We have been trying to do just that and we are getting a very good response from the community."
But the challenge comes in getting a regular supply of some agricultural produce, which has resulted in him issuing the call for farmers to grow more. "We get a lot of cucumbers, a lot of bananas but we want to encourage persons to produce a wider variety so that we can get a regular supply throughout the year."
Among those that he has urged to be grown more are seasoning peppers, cucumbers, bananas, green plantains, papaya and squash.
Mr Vanterpool said farmers are to be commended for the excellent job they do because the quality he gets are usually very good and the items do not loiter on the store shelves.
The Huntum's Ghut AValue Supermarket had moments prior to Virgin Islands News Online's visit, received a quantity of fresh produce from VI Fresh's Mr Warren aka red devil. "We also got some A grade red and seasoning peppers that we only received today, so we would like to extend our arms to the community to support the farmers."
Snappers and king fish are among the best sellers that are supplied by local fishermen. Mr Vanterpool said the primary supplier for king fish and snappers is a fisherman from East End, who has being doing that consistently for some two years and counting.
"What I've realized is that the snapper is of a very good quality. I have seen snapper come from all over the world but the snapper that I am seeing here comein very large chunks and are very tasty."
The young businessman said that himself and wife have been working over the past two years to develop the AValue stores for which the provision of quality local products and produce are integral. "Products like Ms 'Bee' Fresh Maube is a very high market value and in great demand. They go like hot cakes by the gallon not just the small bottles but by the gallons."
Contacted, one farmer said that he never before thought of planting more until now. He said because of the increase market value and demands, he is now contemplating expanding his farming activities. "Right now is one person I supplying and that is AValue and I never thought that they would have been taking all my stuff and calling for more so fast."
The farmer added that while he plans to continue supplying AValue, he challenged his fellow farmers to produce without fear because the needed market for the best prices are available. "We as farmers just got to know what to do, where to turn to and we'll get sales."
A local fisherman opined that it is stores like Avalue that have been keeping the agriculture sector going "but what the government needs to be doing is putting pressure on the bigger zings like the large hotel and resorts to take their supplies from local farmers."
He said from all views, the Virgin Islands could produce sufficiently for home and places like St. Thomas, USVI and further afield.
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19 Responses to “Businessman urges local farmers to produce more”
Local farmer's need to build relationships with stores such as A Value who understands the importance of using local, fresh, flavorful produce. Great Job Deon! Humble beginnings! The Best Is Yet To Come!