|
From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
NASSAU, The Bahamas - The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources will host the Bahamas Agricultural, Marine Resources and Agribusiness Expo as part of its mandate to promote the sustainable development of agriculture and food security in the country. Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. Lawrence Cartwright said the exposition will bring together producers of vegetables, root crops, fruits, ornamentals, food and drink manufacturers, livestock producers and marine resource harvesters from throughout The Bahamas to showcase their product lines. It will also allow the participants to engage in “friendly competition” to heighten public awareness of the wide variety of products and the high quality of locally produced and processed commodities. The event will expose entrepreneurs, school students and interested persons to innovative agricultural strategies, best practices and agricultural demonstrations, greenhouse techniques, hydroponics systems and hybridization.The expo will be held at the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre November 8-11 under the theme, “Promoting and Strengthening Agribusiness”. The announcement was made at a press conference on Wednesday, August 22, 2007, at the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre. Also present were Mr Edison Key, Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) Chairman and MP for South Abaco; Mrs. Colleen Nottage, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources; Mr. Benjamin Rahming, BAIC Consultant; and farmers from throughout the country. “My Ministry is committed to strengthening agribusiness in The Bahamas to position it as a fundamental pillar of our economy. This thrust to promote agribusiness ventures will attract foreign investors with local entrepreneurs as well as encourage import substitutions,” Minister Cartwright said. The expo, he said, will include discussions to identify and proffer possible solutions to the challenges confronting the sectors, which have negatively impacted the attainment of a greater degree of national food security and sustainability of resources. The Minister said the expo will also prove an excellent orientation for new and mature farmers as well as other agribusiness persons concerned about product quality and standards Minister Cartwright noted that as market access is a major concern of producers, it is expected that the exhibition will lead to the establishment of contacts with buyers from the hospitality industry, wholesalers and retailers. “The clustering, partnering and networking of producers with each other will be a major goal of the expo,” he said. Minister Cartwright said that students are another group to be targeted at the expo. “Our partnership with the Ministry of Education,” he said, “will provide students and teachers involved in agricultural and home economic studies, practical experience, cutting edge techniques and strategies that will enhance their knowledge, stimulate and solidify their aspirations within the agricultural sector. “The exposure of students to the various activities planned for Expo 2007 will begin the process of creating a sustainable and dynamic cadre of young people, who will take up the mantle of food production, processing and other agribusiness endeavours for future generations of Bahamians,” he said. Specific activities of the expo will include:
-30-
|
