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'We must become more self-sufficient' - Dr Wheatley

-Gov't launches $2M fishing & agriculture fund amidst Coronavirus threat on food security
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says in the wake of the global Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, government, more than ever, recognises the need for food security in the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: VINO/File
Hon Natalio D. Wheatley said food security continues to be a major priority for the Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) led Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration, especially as it relates to alternatives food sources in the territory. Photo: Internet Source
Hon Natalio D. Wheatley said food security continues to be a major priority for the Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) led Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration, especially as it relates to alternatives food sources in the territory. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says in the wake of the global Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, government, more than ever, recognises the need for food security in the Virgin Islands (VI).

"We recognise that the world economy is being devastated as countries face shutdowns to prevent the spread of the virus.  We recognise that ports in the region and around the globe are closing," Hon Wheatley said in statements released yesterday, Friday, March 20, 2020.

$2M earmarked for Fishing & Farming 

According to the Minister, globally, supermarkets are struggling to satisfy demand as panicking individuals stockpile goods in anticipation of shortages in essential items he said. 

Given those circumstances, Hon Wheatley noted that food security continues to be a major priority for the Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) led Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration, to provide alternatives for sources of food in the territory. 

"That is why... the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands approved a sum of $2 Million to stimulate the local Fishing and Farming sector," he said, and this is with the aims of addressing the serious threat for food security and the need to be more self-sufficient.

In the stimulus package called, “the Rapid Response Fishing and Farming Production Programme,” funding will now be available to purchase supplies necessary to get fisherfolks back in the water. 

Apply for funding 

In addition, he said monies will also go towards getting farmers back on their grounds through the purchase of more equipment of resources.

"Access to this funding means that we will ramp up production and provide the local market with the food necessary to sustain ourselves in this Virgin Islands economy." 

Hon Wheatley encouraged farmers and fishermen from Anegada to Jost Van Dyke to contact the Department of Agriculture at 468-6123 to register for the programme as well as indicate what type of support is needed to get their industries moving. 

17 Responses to “'We must become more self-sufficient' - Dr Wheatley”

  • Diaspora (21/03/2020, 12:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Coronavirus is a pandemic that is increasing the demand, panic buying for goods and services. Though VI imports practically all its goods, in this global crisis, it is not a top priority on the distribution chart. Suppliers in the US and other suppliers are focusing on the domestic markets. Thus, thumbs up
  • frog (21/03/2020, 12:47) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    Doctor who ??? Boss Vino chill out lol
  • ccc (21/03/2020, 12:54) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Clap clap now you all talking
  • Nice (21/03/2020, 13:09) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Better late than never. We are a reactive society.
  • we the people (21/03/2020, 13:22) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    Got to give this government credit they doing a good job
  • balance (21/03/2020, 13:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    we have no real control over of growth. We make annual budgetary projections thats fall apart after a hurricane and now the health conditions. We need sustainable development and this could include farming and fishing those belong to us. All of our food & fish are now imported
  • My girl (21/03/2020, 14:10) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    So it had to take this virus for this to happen... Sad.
    • @ Jack (22/03/2020, 08:14) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      dam if you do! dam if you don't, but we sticking with the VIP ALL THE WAY
  • Seriously Speaking (21/03/2020, 15:39) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    We as a people need to be proactive and not wait to be forced into being reactive to disasters. Our fishing and food farming have been neglected for years and it's sad. Our grand parents fish and farm to sustain their families. It has been stated that the land at Paraquita Bay was donated back when to the government for the indigenous people to farm. Was that done? In answer, to some degree. Most lots are unused while some are being used by expats for living quarters. Yes, I seriously went there because wooden homes were constructed and housed by people of other origins. Some are using the government water and electricity. This is their means of sustainability having no overhead to content with while our indigenous people are pleading for a piece of lot to plant food and all you hear from the Agriculture department is, we aint got no more lots available but yet the expats get to live for free on our farm land with free utilities.
    Sustainability? for who? When the negative responses is not coming from Agriculture department not wanting to distribute the lots to serious people, you hear about medical marijuana. Can we eat marijuana? So how and when sustainability will happen for the people of the British Virgin Islands?
    CLEAN UP Pariquata Bay and take a serious assessment of who occupies the lots and who should occupy and for what purpose then define sustainability.
  • Long awaited (21/03/2020, 18:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now this is the reason why the older folks were outlasting us as youths
    They mainly survived on fishing and farming for sustenance I don’t know why we felt that when we got “developed” that we needed to do away with our strength and sustenance. I applAud you hon minister
  • ReX FeRal (21/03/2020, 19:12) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Tired of the talk of being proactive when government after governmdnth repeating the same shit all the time lining their pockets . He's not talking nothing Lavity Ralph,the sleeper or any other politicians said in the recent past.
  • The right move (21/03/2020, 20:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This sort of initiative needed to be in place from long.

    The department of agriculture needs to run its own seed/seedling bank not the national parks trust collecting a few seeds for scientific purposes and storing them forever. You used to be able to go to get banana, and a plethora of seedlings right at the department. $2 a dozen if I remember correctly. This sort of thing should not be the sole responsibility of private individuals.

    All now root crops should be in the ground for food security.

    Every home should have the ability to secure & plant a suitable crop whether in a dry or wet environment.

    And why is fish so expensive on an island? Or scorning certain fish which were traditionally eaten. The fry come in near the end of the year and the birds have more than they can eat.

    While we are at it lets get this cannabis/hemp thing rolling or atleast decriminalized as soon as possible. yes you can eat it, yes its a food crop a drought resistant one for our semi-arid climate & yes its a medicine. The whole plant is edible & many people are using hemp seeds right now in the BVI.

    All these shortcoming come about due to lack of education & a unwillingness by government to give back to the people.

    To the farmers & fishers your first though should be feeding people or providing healing for the people, second thought how much money it will make. Same to the contractors rebuilding houses. Same to the doctors. Come on. This is a christian society but it seems the root of all evil the primary motivator

    When a fire fighter goes to out a fire he aint thinking "these people dont look as if they are worth my time might as well let it burn". I would throw the police up in there but in my opinion many are in it for the money, & the rest the power as their body language & division from society speaks to their predatory perspective upon their brothers & sisters - ordinary citizens.

    Yes we need to become more self sufficient, what that means do we really know? I do not think it is as simple as it may seem, comrades.
  • John (21/03/2020, 21:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The house is getting robbed so NOW is time to buy a lock. Smh
  • ... (22/03/2020, 07:37) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I believe they are serious as they committed money

    I staying with vip all the way yall
  • only now (23/03/2020, 07:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    As the saying goes.. it is never too late..
    We all should learn after Irma.
    And only now you all realize how important farming and fishing is...

    It is not if the US stop exporting.. but when...
    Every home should have a garden.
    Plant some banana and plantain..
    Sweet potato...
    And we could always find a fish in the sea to eat... we can survive...

    So much chicken running around..
    And people knocking their nose about nasty..
    These same chicken could be on a farm we will get eggs...
    Who want to laugh... Well continue...
    Hard days ahead of us all.
    And only the tough will survive..
    Our Island depends on about 95% of our food form overseas... THINK..


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