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VI delegation attends ‘inspirational’ Agriculture & Food Fair in USVI

- PS Carolyn E. Stoutt Igwe said VI’s participation is in direct alignment with legislative agenda to promote consumption & production of local foods
The Agrifest event on St Croix is the largest “country fair” in the Caribbean and featured farmers, a variety of vendors’ booths, displays of local cuisine and condiments like jam and jellies made from local fruits; spices, livestock, and plants. Photo: VI Consortium
The [British] Virgin Islands’ delegation included Assistant Secretary (Protocol Officer) in the Premier's Office Dr Lavon Chalwell-Brewley, Director of the Department of Fisheries and Agriculture Mr Theodore E. James, Agriculture Officer Mr Orville Clarke and Assistant Secretary in the Premier's Office and desk officer for Agriculture and Fisheries, Mrs Tessa Smith- Claxton. Photo: GIS
The [British] Virgin Islands’ delegation included Assistant Secretary (Protocol Officer) in the Premier's Office Dr Lavon Chalwell-Brewley, Director of the Department of Fisheries and Agriculture Mr Theodore E. James, Agriculture Officer Mr Orville Clarke and Assistant Secretary in the Premier's Office and desk officer for Agriculture and Fisheries, Mrs Tessa Smith- Claxton. Photo: GIS
Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt Igwe said the [British] Virgin Islands’ attendance at the 51st Annual Agricultural and Food Fair of the US Virgin Islands (USVI) in St Croix last weekend was indicative of the strong ongoing partnership between the VI and the USVI, reflective of the shared bond, history and culture of Virgin Islanders from both territories. Photo: VINO/File
Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt Igwe said the [British] Virgin Islands’ attendance at the 51st Annual Agricultural and Food Fair of the US Virgin Islands (USVI) in St Croix last weekend was indicative of the strong ongoing partnership between the VI and the USVI, reflective of the shared bond, history and culture of Virgin Islanders from both territories. Photo: VINO/File
ESTATE LOWER LOVE, ST Croix, USVI- “Participating in this Food Fair is in direct alignment with the Government’s legislative agenda to promote the consumption and production of local foods,” Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt Igwe said following the attendance of government officials from the Premier’s Office and the Department of Agriculture at the 51st Annual Agricultural and Food Fair of the US Virgin Islands in St Croix last weekend.

Mrs Stoutt Igwe, whose portfolio includes agriculture, added that the Government of the Virgin Islands’ attendance at this event was also indicative of the strong ongoing partnership between the VI and the USVI, reflective of the shared bond, history and culture of Virgin Islanders from both territories.

“The three-day cultural exchange served as a capacity-building opportunity for the Government of the Virgin Islands in the area of food security, networking in the agricultural sector, capitalising on natural resources, and overall agricultural development. It will also be useful in the planning of the upcoming BVI Fishers and Farmers Week,” the PS said in a press release from Government Information Services (GIS) on February 22, 2023.

VI inspired ahead of Farmers & Fishers Week

Meanwhile, Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr Theodore E. James, described the USVI’s Agrifest 2023 as inspirational, particularly ahead of the Territory’s Farmers and Fishers Week 2023 to be held March 17 to 23 on each of the four main islands.

Mr James said: “The USVI Agrifest 2023 was a spectacular display of agriculture, food and culture. I congratulate our neighbours, family and friends in the USVI for organising such a successful event. As we revive and rebrand our celebration of food and culture through Farmers’ and Fishers’ Week in the Virgin Islands, USVI Agrifest was truly inspirational.”

Head of the Government of the Virgin Islands’ delegation, Dr. Lavon Chalwell-Brewley, who is the desk officer for agriculture expressed her gratitude to Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Agriculture USVI Mrs. Riise Richards for extending an invitation to the Territory to attend the event, which is traditionally attended by the Virgin Islands.

The delegation included Assistant Secretary (Protocol Officer) in the Premier's Office  Dr. Lavon Chalwell-Brewley, Director of the Department of Fisheries and Agriculture Mr Theodore E. James, Agriculture Officer Mr Orville Clarke and Assistant Secretary in the Premier's Office and desk officer for Agriculture and Fisheries, Mrs Tessa Smith- Claxton.

7 Responses to “VI delegation attends ‘inspirational’ Agriculture & Food Fair in USVI”

  • WTF (23/02/2023, 12:33) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    Not going to bring back anything from the experience to implement here anyway. So why waste tax payers money to attend?
  • Mustang (23/02/2023, 13:10) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Food insecurity is one of the BVI’s pressing problem. BVI was once self-sufficient in food production, exporting surplus to the USVI. Subsistence agriculture was a primary livelihood before transitioning to services in the 60s and 80s; tourism, mid-60s; financial services, 1989s. Ok. The BVI will probably not be self-sufficient production again. Agriculture probably will not be strong economic pillar. Nevertheless, the territory should work to produce as much food as possible and practical, reducing the food import bill, improving food security posture, increasing local spending, creating a multiplier effect in the economy, producing healthier foods, etc.
    • Quiet Storm (23/02/2023, 16:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      So the BVI regressed from being an exporter of surplus food to now being inspired by agriculture in St. Croix. Is the BVI going to bench mark St. Croix to increase agricultural production? Or the trip was just a lime.
  • What the F (23/02/2023, 13:17) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Man, you indeed Monkey see, Monkey don't do in terms of getting anyway. The government kill Aggiculture in the be we I so dem going go C what St. Croix doing only went for de lime. Our government has fooled us too many time with Agriculture and fixing Sewage only filled dem and dem friends pockets look de Brown Bomber from the west do with the teefing preacher man. Poor we.
  • Wow…. (23/02/2023, 21:56) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    So the government thought it right to send people from the BVI to the Agricultural fest in the USVI but didn’t include ONE SINGLE farmer from here? Instead they decide to send the people who sit behind the desks in these departments collecting government revenue and offering NO ASSISTANCE to the people out there actually farming and fishing?!? This coming just a couple of years after they decided to split a grant earmarked for farmers and fisherfolk between pretty much EVERY voting BVISLANDER instead of giving it to the people that deserve it? This place is disgusting for real. Then they’re going to come back here to the same people they are being paid to support (who see no support whatsoever) and ask them to PAY to put up a tent at the HLSCC on a day earmarked to celebrate them?! MAKE IT MAKE SENSE?!?
  • cnn (24/02/2023, 02:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just a weekend get away nothing will happen
  • ... (24/02/2023, 09:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea boy them people in the photo sure look like hard working farmers.


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