A statutory body has been proposed to take the lead on agricultural development in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File

According to Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), the idea of a statutory board for Agriculture in the Virgin Islands is part of proposed legislation changes for agriculture expected in a few months. Photo: VINO/File

The production of livestock is also high on the agenda for the Minister responsible for Agriculture, Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: VINO/File

The idea of a statutory board for Agriculture in the VI is part of proposed legislation changes for agriculture expected in a few months, according to Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7)

“Mr Speaker, an exciting aspect of this legislative revision is the proposal to establish a statutory body, which will be responsible for managing the commercial aspect of agriculture, allowing the department of agriculture to be responsible for the regulation of the sector along with technical support among other services,” Dr Wheatley said in a statement during the continuation of the Fifth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

Independent entity will be able to secure funding

According to the Minister who holds the portfolio for Agriculture, it is envisioned that this body will be an independent legal entity, governed by a board, which will have the ability to secure financing in the form of loans and grants from local, regional, and international entities.

“Mr Speaker, it is also envisioned that this entity can finance local agricultural operations, providing access to land, fencing materials, water, seeds, and whatever else is required to produce crops. Farmers would be contracted to produce crops based on market research. This authority would then buy all the food that these farmers can produce and establish relationships with supermarkets, hotels, and other entities to supply the demand for healthy, organic produce.

‘Exciting time for agriculture’

Dr Wheatley continued that the statutory body will operate a modern farmers market, which will be cultural in nature and appeal to the local and tourist markets. This model, he added, will be applied to livestock as well.

“This is an exciting time for agriculture in the Virgin Islands. We are on the cusp of a new era of food production in these Virgin Islands.”

Dr Wheatley also noted that earlier this month a consultant that his Ministry hired was conducting stakeholder consultations to inform the revision of the agricultural legislation, which he said had not been revised in several decades.

“This consultant met with farmers and was given positive feedback in regard to many of the proposals put to them. These legislative changes should be ready in a short few months,” Dr Wheatley said.