Food security in the Virgin Islands
All nations depend on outside countries to fill in crucial links in their supply chains. The preceding is at the core of modern-day globalization. However, when crises such as war and natural disaster strike, there is a sober realization that a level of national self-sufficiency is wise. Food especially is a key driver of national security.
Now for all the election gimmicking and pontificating this Old Boy needs to hear the most important matter of all concerning these Virgin Islands from the next generation of leaders. When will the country achieve full food sufficiency? What is the timeline?
OK. External supplies from the UK and USA kept bread on the table and a roof over the head, after Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2016. Had there been no external intervention, these islands may not be back to normal today. Why? Because we did not have the self-sufficiency to fix the supply chain, on which we all depend.
Further, afield, the west, especially the USA and UK are aware of their dependency on adversarial nations for the existence of their own economies, markets, and social existence. This dependency is critical but dangerous.
A driver of western inflation has been the disruption in the supply chain since the start of the Ukraine War in February 2022. Ukraine’s grain is critical to the food supply of many countries. Most can recall the steep rise in petrol prices the war heralded.
However, food is a central driver of inflation for a small country such as the Virgin Islands. A food-sufficient Virgin Islands will spur higher employment, new businesses, and greater national security. Food sufficiency will further drive greater health and well-being for residents.
Then there is opportunity cost. For every cent spent on local produce, that is cash invested directly in farming and employment. A great percentage of what we all spend is on food and drink. When we produce these for ourselves, we create greater internal economies of scale. The more we produce the lesser the cost of production and this is passed on to the consumer.
Organic food, food that avoids a high degree of processing is attractive to consumers for obvious health reasons. At restaurants, which cater to the Virgin Islands Travel Industry, organic food widely available is an additional draw.
Consequently, factor in food sufficiency when you go to the polling booth on April 28.
Which politician possesses a vision and is dedicated to achieving this most important of policies in the coming months? That politician should receive your 'X'.
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5 Responses to “Food security in the Virgin Islands ”
Moreover, the VI several decades earlier was self-sufficient in food production, exporting excess food to the USVI. True, the population was much smaller. Today, it (VI) is not self-sufficient in food production, importing a high percentage of its food. What change? The population quadrupled (at least), scarce arable land converted to other uses, ie, housing, etc, older farmers retiring, younger generations showing indifference to agriculture, competition from and availability of imported food, etc. These factors IMHO posed challenges to the VI getting self-sufficient in food production. Nevertheless, though getting food self-sufficient may be challenging, the VI should plan and aim to produce as much food as possible and practical, enhancing the food security posture, reducing the food importing bill, creating employment, increasing spending local which creates a multiplier effect in the economy, providing fresher local food, etc. Increasing agricultural/food production should be the next government’s radar.
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