Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Water could be coming to farmers @ Paraquita Bay- Smith-Berkeley

A 400,000 gallon storage tank. A storage tank with a 400,000 capacity is to be installed at Paraquita Bay to supply water to farmers at Paraquita Bay, according to the Standing Finance Committee Report. Photo: steelcoretank.com
Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley, left, and Director of Agriculture and Fisheries Mr Theodore E. James. Photo: GIS/File
Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley, left, and Director of Agriculture and Fisheries Mr Theodore E. James. Photo: GIS/File
Member for the Third District Hon Julian Fraser RA and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism and Member for the Fourth District Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith both had questions for representatives if the Ministry of the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change during Standing Finance Committee last year. Photo: GIS/File
Member for the Third District Hon Julian Fraser RA and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism and Member for the Fourth District Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith both had questions for representatives if the Ministry of the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change during Standing Finance Committee last year. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The vexing issue of water for farming continues to be a challenge for farmers who use the Paraquita Bay lands on Tortola to plant and rear livestock. However, according to information from the House of Assembly Standing Finance Committee (SFC) Report, this is expected to be addressed.

Water tank coming- Smith-Berkeley

The Member for the Third District, Hon Julian Fraser RA, asked for confirmation that a storage tank was going to be installed in Paraquita Bay for the farmers to get water. To this, the Permanent Secretary (PS) from the Ministry of the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley affirmed this to be the case.

The Member for the Third District asked where the water would come from since the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries indicated it would come from the municipal water supply system which is currently rationing water. The Member for the Third District also asked what is the capacity of the water storage tank.

Mr Smith-Berkeley indicated that “the capacity was about 400,000 gallons.” The Member for the Third District asked again where the water would come from. The PS responded that “the water would come from the reverse osmosis plant that is in Paraquita Bay.”

Hon Fraser reiterated that water is currently being rationed and a reservoir right next to the plant would get first call and asked what was the plan. The Member for the Third District also asked if the PS knew that the farmers in Paraquita Bay used to get water. Mr Smith-Berkeley affirmed he did.

Why are farmers not getting water @ Paraquita Bay?

The Member for the Third District asked if he knew why it was discontinued. The Director of Agriculture and Fisheries Mr Theodore E. James answered that “it could be assumed that it was discontinued because of the flood and hurricanes in 2017.”

Mr James in his testimony before the SFC last year noted that “the floods uprooted the majority of the piping that was placed in the roads that supported the transfer of water from the wells to the water tanks that were placed on the hill. The hurricanes further decimated the infrastructure.”

To this, Hon Fraser asked if the Director was saying that the farmers were getting water from wells in Paraquita Bay as recently as 2017. Mr James answered that “they were getting water from the Water and Sewerage Department, and that supply was assisted by wells.”

The Member for the Third District asked who was paying for the water from the Water and Sewerage Department (WSD). The Director Mr James answered that he could not say. The Member for the Third District asked if Mr James was sure that the farmers were getting water from the WSD. The Director confirmed that they were receiving a portion of water from WSD.

Community Farming programme?

The Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism and Member for the Fourth District Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith asked if there was a community farming programme and what kind of assistance would be offered in such a programme. She added that it was suggested that “a community farming programme be started in the Fourth District and if the Department of Agriculture (DOA) would assist with the project and what would be provided.”

The Director of Agriculture and Fisheries indicated that the DOA is in support of community farming. He stated that if the land was identified, the DOA would evaluate and review the area. “If they were available in the inventory, the DOA would provide fence posts, barbed wire and fencing for that community project.”

Farmers throughout the Territory continue to complain about the lack of water, adequate support from the Government, lack of organised market and the financial burden of farming in the Territory.

26 Responses to “Water could be coming to farmers @ Paraquita Bay- Smith-Berkeley”

  • jack (29/01/2024, 13:34) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    More talk
  • question (29/01/2024, 14:05) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    What stopping farmers from having their own tanks on their farm and paying for water to be delivered to their farm right now?
    • answer (02/02/2024, 22:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      They too entitled. We have to pay for water supplied to our homes but they want it for free. Then they sell the produce sky high.
  • Just wondering (29/01/2024, 14:53) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Will the "farmers" (some of the plots at Paraquita are not farmers at all) pay for the water? What is the cost of this project and how many will benefit of it?
  • x (29/01/2024, 15:04) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is Paraquita Bay the only place on the island where farming is being done?
    Is that the only place where water is an issue?
    Why are farmers on the other parts of the island not bawling?
    Is the water in Paraquita Bay for farming only?

    I am getting the impression that either the farmers in Paraquita bay don't know what they are doing, or they want the water for some other use.
  • pat (29/01/2024, 15:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We hear this song and dance before
  • Greenland Resident (29/01/2024, 15:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope we get some water for everyday personal & hygienic use too, because water off in Greenland for days now, fix it Jesus!
  • Kermit (29/01/2024, 15:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Frogs could grow wings so they didn’t hit their butt when they jumped but that’s not going to happen either.
  • Informed (29/01/2024, 15:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is this why the 5M poly tunnels were never used as there was no water to grow the plants. Another waste of money. Sigh
  • John (29/01/2024, 15:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about the residents of Lambert balsum gut does here load of water trucks going to prison why dont they fix the pipes and done the only thing about that is the water trucks getting jobs director hurry and address this problem
  • To x (29/01/2024, 16:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get what impression you want. if you are a landlord, can you tenant come in your property and do what they want? I cannot go and ask electricity to put in a 220V in my apartment without my landlord consent and I can't go to water and sewage to change an account or run any pipe without my landlord permission. Same with government land. Nobody want nothing free so hush
  • WEW (29/01/2024, 18:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wonder why the government issues a statement like this "Water COULD be coming" ????? Most likely not.
  • Dancing with the Stars (29/01/2024, 20:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am pleased with the proposed water supply for the farmers at Paraquita Bay. However, I do hope that the water will not be taken by some people to assist with construction projects as was done in the past. I want to suggest that the farmers utilize the water to plant many fruit trees that will be able to supply the local market. There is a variety of papaya known as red lady that bears many fruits. Some farmers can plant about one hundred trees and that will increase their earnings. Dwarf coconut plants that bear in about three years can be considered also. Let us strive to produce more to feed the nation.
    • Sustenance food crops (30/01/2024, 18:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Root plants like eddo and yam, veg such as Ocra grow like weeds and produce food that you can make a meal with. All i see coming out of paraquita is cucumbers etc. Is there a national policy for the type of food to grow? (look at our ancestors they didnt rely on imports)
  • Willock (29/01/2024, 23:03) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    will sea cows bay get water too?
  • Absolute Wastes of time (30/01/2024, 00:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The 4 people pictured below the article are completely useless, especially 3 of them. They are not worth their salary. Total bluffs.
  • Hmm (30/01/2024, 02:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Set a Fing talk!! Only place I ever see farming like this,so embarrassing!!
  • Why (30/01/2024, 06:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    THE GOVERNMENT HASN'T CREATED A AGRICULTURAL FARM OUT THERE SOWE CAN GROW OUR OWN NATURAL HEALTH VEGETABLES SO THAT WE CAN FEED OURSELVES BEFORE SOME OF THESE IDIOTS WHO LOVE TO MAKE A LOT NOISE ABOUT INDEPENDENCE OR RACISM , THE BOASTING CUBAN FAILED TO PRODUCE A SINGLE FRUIT OR VEGETABLE WITH HIS GREENhouse PROJECT , JUST IMAGINE HOW FAR WE WOULD OF BEEN IN AGRIGCULTURE NOW ~ IF ONLY THAT MOUTH CHAMP HAD DO WHAT HE HAD PROMISED HIS PEOPLE ,❓️
    ????
  • GT (30/01/2024, 06:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    And bvi contingent went to guyana talking puddle about cooperation . Irony is that they highlighted AGRICULTURE as o e of the areas . What a joke ....bvi , growing nothing , no water for the farmers next to the water plant.....gonna a HELP Guyana. Lord , send help.
  • Josiahsbay (30/01/2024, 08:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is it possible to create a freshwater pond to collect water and raise fish? Two birds with one stone.
  • hmm (30/01/2024, 08:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Could be. Could pigs fly?
  • vex (30/01/2024, 13:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    All them people clueless. Water shutdown in Road Town every night but they have water for farmers.
  • Z6 (30/01/2024, 15:41) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    They putting a water tank to supply the HLSCC Olympic sized swimming pool… they don’t care about the farmers!!!
  • lodger (30/01/2024, 15:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    water everywhere and water nowhere. What a ting
  • swift (30/01/2024, 18:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need water in districts around the territory also...especially in the hill areas. Fix/Replace the pumps around the territory that were damaged in the hurricanes. Most of you in those seats of Government are useless and heartless.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.