'Mistakes were made in the past'- Hon Stacy R. Mather on agriculture
That’s according to Hon Stacy R. Mather, MBE, (AL), who made the revelation during Honestly Speaking on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, which was being guest hosted by Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5).
Hon Mather said the public now has three members of the House of Assembly lobbying for agriculture and fisheries, himself, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), and Dr the Hon Karl Dawson (R1).
He acknowledged that there is a need in the agriculture and fisheries sector and that they need to “tap it up” and make sure it’s done.
Agriculture now seen as a business
“Mistakes were made in the past, but obviously now we see where it is a business, and that’s also one of the things we have to give farmers support to help them set up what they are doing as a business and get them to see the livelihood that they can [have].”
Hon Mather said while the Food Security Bill is being looked at, the government is also hoping to establish an advisory board for agriculture.
“We will have people who are farmers and fishers within the community actually advising us as to which direction it should go because I think there is a need for having a voice, a group of people giving that direction.”
Meanwhile, Dr Dawson added that a lot of those advisors will be drawn from the sectors.
“As they circulate in the sectors, they bring back a position and a viewpoint to help in the development of policy and procedures and government allocation in the area.”
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11 Responses to “'Mistakes were made in the past'- Hon Stacy R. Mather on agriculture”
FOOD SECURITY
Agriculture is important
To keep us all alive
It must have food and water
For a nation to survive.
There is a statement saying
Give us our daily bread
Cause living things need nourishment
And all mouth must be fed.
A nation may have resources
Wealth or prosperity
But it will never prosper
Without food security
We may have education
Advance technology
But a country cannot function
Without this commodity.
I remember when the Virgin Islands
Had many springs and wells
And food and fish was flourishing
To buy, export and sell.
Our farmers raise their livestock
With the fishers men on the sea
And Agriculture or Farming
Was the main priority
It was the source of income
For country and families
It was also beneficial
To places overseas.
At harvest time
There were plenty of fruits to eat
And from the ground
Abundance of produce to reap
Importing food from overseas
Was never in our past
So let go back and till the soil
Though it’s a grueling task.
Farming the land
Fishing the seas
Was a part of our culture
And our legacies.
In fact,
The first type of employment
Was to cultivate the land
So God make sure
That there was food
Before he made the man.
Providing food
Is our responsibility
Whether it comes from the land
Or whether from the sea
And this burden is resting
On the whole community.
Would we like to wake up
And there is nothing for us to eat
And the earth is dry and barren
And there nothing for us to reap
And hunger settles in the land
Because we weren’t prepare
And supermarkets are empty
And no groceries are there. ?
We can live without money
And other commodities
But a country can’t exist
Without food security.
So, Agriculture is important
It is our Legacy
So let us have this topic
As our highest priority.
If we want more independence
And crying to be free
Lets us have our pantry filled
And food security.
Poem Written By:
Phyllis I. Mercer - Tortola, BVI - April 2026
For the Agriculture and Fisheries Celebration.
Big grasshopper