VI to 'collaborate' with St Kitts & Nevis on agricultural initiatives- Premier Wheatley
![[British] Virgin Islands Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R9) participated in the ribbon-cutting exercise, along with USVI Governor Albert A. Bryan A. Jr and other persons, at the opening of the 52nd Annual Agriculture and Food Fair (AgriFest) on February 17, 2024. Photo: Facebook](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_4_428601334_796890852473058_2893295593440434976_n_01.jpg)
Dr Wheatley, who attended the 74th Meeting of the OECS Authority in St Kitts from February 14 to 15, 2024, was at the time being interviewed by the VI Consortium while at the opening of the 52nd Annual Agriculture and Food Fair (AgriFest) on St Croix on February 17, 2024.
Standing alongside the Honourable Samal M. Duggins, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Cooperatives, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Sports and The Creative Economy and Entertainment and The Arts in St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Wheatley said he was happy about the representation St Kitts and Nevis has at AgriFest and that he is looking forward to collaborating with St Kitts and Nevis in that sector.
Dr Wheatley shared that he has already had discussions with Minister Duggins about some of the things they can do together, “considering the fact that we are OECS brothers and sisters.”
The Virgin Islands Premier continued that he was truly inspired by what he saw in St Kitts and Nevis and he will do his part back in the VI, “and then we are going to link and we are going to collaborate a lot more.”
‘We are revitalising regenerating agriculture’- Premier Wheatley
Asked how the agriculture sector was doing in the Virgin Islands, Dr Wheatley said the territory is in the process of “revitalising and regenerating” agriculture.
“Just like over here in the USVI and other places, we have become so reliant on imported goods, but we have set a target to reduce those imports, and we are also part of the same Caricom targets. I know Mr Duggins is committed to reducing importations by 25 percent by the year 2025, and we are setting similar targets as well.”
Dr Wheatley continued that a lot of “good work” is being done to boost agriculture in the VI and shared that the VI is about to solve a longstanding water problem for farmers, seeking to build an agriculture and fisheries marketing complex, as well as landing sites for fishers.
“So we know we have to pick up the pace and keep up with St Kitts and Nevis,” Dr Wheatley stated.
“Well it’s a collaboration and we look forward to that,” Honourable Duggins replied as he shook hands with Premier Wheatley.
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17 Responses to “VI to 'collaborate' with St Kitts & Nevis on agricultural initiatives- Premier Wheatley”
Thats what I'm afraid of!
btw when you came with your one man food , we did agree to remove some of those lines, Didn’t’ we?
That minister has far too many portfolios for his own good.