Leader of the Opposition the Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal OBE today stressed the importance of agriculture if the Territory is to reduce its food costs and underscored the need for young people in the discipline. Photo: VINO

The overriding theme of agriculture week activities revolved around the need for youths to embrace the sector and engage the technology to ensure sustainability. It was no different in Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO

The overriding theme of agriculture week activities revolved around the need for youths to embrace the sector and engage the technology to ensure sustainability. It was no different in Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO

The overriding theme of agriculture week activities revolved around the need for youths to embrace the sector and engage the technology to ensure sustainability. It was no different in Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO

The overriding theme of agriculture week activities revolved around the need for youths to embrace the sector and engage the technology to ensure sustainability. It was no different in Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO

The overriding theme of agriculture week activities revolved around the need for youths to embrace the sector and engage the technology to ensure sustainability. It was no different in Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO

The overriding theme of agriculture week activities revolved around the need for youths to embrace the sector and engage the technology to ensure sustainability. It was no different in Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO

Honourable O'Neal was speaking as one of the featured speakers at the launch of agriculture week activities on the island of Virgin Gorda earlier today. Present at the event were Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith and other government officials. Present also were Opposition Members of the House of Assembly Representative of the Second District The Honourable J. Alvin Christopher and Representative of the Third District The Honourable Julian Fraser RA.

"We hope that all the emphasis being placed on youth participating in agriculture will come through. Because it is so true that if we fail to produce it could affect us seriously, depending on what happens especially in the United States. We must learn to produce and to produce on a regular basis," Hon O'Neal said. "You have to continue producing so you could meet the demands of the market and especially with the vision of increased tourism," he said.

"We would like to see the farmers to (earn) some money with the increased visitors. It is also a matter of earning an income," Honourable O'Neal said.

"I would advise young people to get interested in agriculture and to the farmers; encourage young people to go into agriculture in the biggest possible way," he said.

Hon O'Neal sponsored two prizes: one for the oldest farmer and the other for the youngest farmer on the island of Virgin Gorda.

Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith called for youths to take up the mantle in the agricultural sector. He also called for better marketing of farmers' produce on the various islands of the Territory so that farmers enjoy better prices.

The Premier however acknowledged the progress that Virgin Gorda has made in terms of its agriculture and what the island has been able to achieve over the years.