Food Security is not about having money saved up- Khoy Smith
Speaking on the local television programme “Speak Your Mind” on Saturday, September 29, 2012, Mr. Smith Said Government seemed to have interpreted food security as having a certain amount of money to buy food as opposed to the Territory being able to grow its own food.
He also said Government did not stand to lose by promoting the two industries and encouraging persons to engage in agriculture. “A lot of people would not have to go to Government begging for a job but going into the agricultural industry could make you an entrepreneur and owning your own business. This is a benefit to Government.”
The Farmers on the Move President also argued that the Virgin Islands was built on the foundations of fishing and agriculture and that they needed to be embraced, along with the two current pillars- financial Service and tourism. “So in diversifying we do not need to give up on financial services or tourism. All we are saying is to put a little more emphasis on the two pillars that we have neglected for so long. And once we do that we will have a more stable economy and the two pillars that are carrying us so far would not be overloaded.”
The argument was also put forward that agriculture would actually enhance tourism in that tourists would be more inclined to buy an agricultural product when they come to the Territory.
Another guest on the show, Natalio Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru, said expanding the agriculture and fishing industry would reduce the need for imports and would keep money in the Territory.
Meanwhile, host of the show, Sam Henry appealed to the public to support Farmers on the Move and noted that the entity has often been criticised about complaining too much but it was not that they were complaining but rather highlighting what needs to be done to grow the industry in order to achieve food security in the face of predictions that food will become scarcer.
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10 Responses to “Food Security is not about having money saved up- Khoy Smith”
Now, a significant quantity of food is imported. Farming may not have the capacity to supplant either tourism or financial services as a key economic pillar. But it needs to be fully developed to reduce the territory's vulnerability to world events. Further, developing farming to the maximum extent practicable can reduce the food import bill and may provide a healthier and better quality product. Moreover, reducing the food import bill will put more money in the local economy; and additional local spending will have a multiplier effect upon the economy. It could result in a dollar circulating more than once or twice in the economy. And this may result in economic growth and development.
Thus, it is in the territory's interest to promote, fund, and develop agriculture to fullest extent. Locals must support local farmers to make the venture profitable. It is important to note that due to higher production costs local products may be bit more expensive. Lets imagine the shortages and other hardship that will be inflicted upon the territory if ships cannot ply the seas to get to the BVI. Local farming can be insurance against such a possibility.