St. Kitts and Nevis joins the global community today, October 16, in commemorating World Food Day under the theme “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future.” In a national address, the Minister responsible for Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources, Entrepreneurship, Creative Economies, and Cooperatives, Hon. Samal Duggins, emphasised the urgent need for ensuring universal access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.
Minister Duggins highlighted the significance of food as more than just sustenance. He noted that the right to food in St. Kitts and Nevis is not merely a slogan but a national imperative to ensure that every citizen has access to the nutrition necessary to thrive.
“It is the very foundation of our health, our economy, and our nation’s future,” the agriculture minister stated.
In addressing the challenges facing global and national food systems, Minister Duggins pointed to the ongoing threats posed by climate change, rising food prices, and international conflicts. However, he also highlighted the vast opportunities available to transform the local agriculture and fisheries sectors to build resilience.
He underscored the administration’s investment in initiatives aimed at boosting local food production and reducing reliance on imports, while empowering farmers and fishers with essential tools and resources. Among the key initiatives he mentioned were greenhouse villages, the hatchery project, and the distribution of pineapple suckers.
“Our government is dedicated to fortifying this backbone,” Minister Duggins said, while referencing the nation’s agricultural and fisheries industries.
A major point of focus in the minister’s address was his government’s commitment to fostering a renewed pride in farming and fishing, particularly for the nation’s youth.
“We are committed to fostering a renewed pride in farming and fishing as dynamic, rewarding careers for our youth,” he stressed.
Duggins also acknowledged the ongoing issues of hunger and malnutrition that persist in some parts of the country, despite progress made through school feeding programmes, community initiatives, and partnerships with local organisations. He called for continued action to ensure that no one is left behind and highlighted the importance of sustainable food systems in securing the future of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The minister appealed to all citizens, whether farmers, fishers, business owners, or consumers, to play their part in building a sustainable future for St. Kitts and Nevis, where “no one goes hungry, where food systems are inclusive and efficient, and where agriculture and fisheries continue to drive national development.”
The efforts to attain universal access to enough diverse, nutritious, affordable, and safe foods are hampered by growing global tensions and conflicts and climate shocks, which are two major factors contributing to the challenge of hundreds of millions of people worldwide facing hunger and billions being unable to afford a healthy diet.
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