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Gov’t taking steps to issue land leases to farmers @ Paraquita Bay- Premier

- said issue of water shortage to be addressed
The Government of the Virgin Islands says it is seeking to formalise the process of issuing land leases to farmers at Paraquita Bay. Photo: Google Earth
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who has responsibility for agriculture, said now that the Food Security and Sustainability Act 2022 received royal assent, Government is moving hastily to establish the Agriculture and Fisheries Authority to manage the sector as stated in the Act. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who has responsibility for agriculture, said now that the Food Security and Sustainability Act 2022 received royal assent, Government is moving hastily to establish the Agriculture and Fisheries Authority to manage the sector as stated in the Act. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Noting that the Virgin Islands (VI) must produce as much food for itself as it as it can, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who has responsibility for agriculture, said his National Unity Government is taking some important steps in this regard.

Governor assents Food Security & Sustainability Act 2022

During a press conference on August 26, 2022, Premier Wheatley announced that the Food Security and Sustainability Act 2022 received royal assent, adding that the territory now officially has a new legal framework within which to advance agriculture.

He said now that the Act is law, Government is moving hastily to establish the Agriculture and Fisheries Authority to manage the sector as stated in the Act.

Leasing land to farmers

Premier Wheatley added that another important step is Government is taking to advance agriculture is to formalise the process of issuing land leases to farmers at Paraquita Bay.

“In the weeks ahead, Cabinet will approve an official process that will provide our farmers with the legal certainty they require to continue to confidently farming the land.”

Water shortage to be addressed

In addition, Dr Wheatley said his Government is in the process of making funds available for infrastructural development that will help to facilitate farming, especially access to water.

“Among other things, the House of Assembly will soon approve a Supplementary Appropriation Bill (SAP) that will fund the construction of a reservoir at Paraquita Bay as well as equipment to pump water from our wells.

“These steps will improve our hardworking farmers ability to produce food for our people, especially as we see prices continue to rise due to inflation,” Dr Wheatley said.

13 Responses to “Gov’t taking steps to issue land leases to farmers @ Paraquita Bay- Premier”

  • oh boy (28/08/2022, 13:30) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    MORE APARTMENTS WILL BE BUILT
  • Hmm (28/08/2022, 13:35) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Can ppl on work permit get too? Ppl from the Caribbean islands and Guyana loves to plant their garden.
  • ... (28/08/2022, 13:39) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    More talk by the slow man
  • WHY DON'T YOU (28/08/2022, 13:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    CREATE A BIG FARM OUT THERE ,THAT WOULD CREATE HUNDREDS OF JOBS FOR FROM HERE AND PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES CAN COME TOGETHER AND
    WORKERS AND PRODUCE HEALTHY VEGETABLES ,WON'T THAT BE MORE CONSTRUCTIVE .?? AFTER ALL ALL OUR ANCESTORS CAME FROM AFRICA AND FAMILIES WERE SEPARATED AND SENT EVERYWHERE SO WHATS THE INSULTS FOR ❓ ???? LIKE IR OR NOT , WE ARE ALL RELATED UNITED WE STAND , DIVIDED WE FALL


  • enough (28/08/2022, 18:06) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Land was given to persons to farm, now there have more apartments than farms. Stupidness is not sense.
  • Be bold (28/08/2022, 18:29) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    It have people that have farm land that is using it for other stuff like a wreck shop for cars. You need to take bqck tvose land from anyone who has a lease if they are not farming.
  • Senior citizen of the British Virgin Islands (28/08/2022, 18:32) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    No matter how positive a plan is there are always plenty of no-very-ttle, and do-very-little, except love-to- criticise criticizers. The Premier is a positive. one. We must produce more needed foods for our daily consumption. Most of the foods that we import are genetically modified. We must do more than talk the talk. It is time to work our talk.
    Government leaders cannot solve all our problems, no matter who we choose as our leaders. All of us should work in unison on this critical issue: local food production. It is possible.
  • ??? (28/08/2022, 19:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Load of crap. Been promised before. Bla bla
  • musa (28/08/2022, 19:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    About time
  • Smhhh (28/08/2022, 21:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    More money for W***** pocket , trying to rob the poor and travel off our tax money, but can’t give us water

  • First step.. (29/08/2022, 03:30) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think priority should be given into helping those farmers with land to get help in whatever is needed to help them develop and be productive...To give more farm land out for the farmers to face the same issues the old farmers are facing not a wise move..Unless they just want to give certain people land...
  • god is watching (29/08/2022, 09:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is very late in the game. Are you all watching what is happening in America and the rest of the world? The war in Ukraine and other potential wars brewing? Bill Gates is buying the farmers out of their land. They are burning refineries, threatening farmers, etc. Soon we will not have food coming into the Virgin Islands as a famine of Biblical proportions is on the horizon. The BVI should have food in abundance because we are rich in farmland. I would advise anyone with property to start their own farming to feed themselves and their family. I am going to start my backyard farming soon.
  • @ why don't you (29/08/2022, 20:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well master FOI made it clear that ( WEED ) is more constructive and all his yes boys & gals drank champagne and agreed to everything and whatever the puppet master said ???? ,( looks like (DEM STIL AH READ FROM THEIR MASTER'S SCRIPT ) ????


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