In recognition of their vital contributions to food security, local farmers and fishers were celebrated during the annual Farmers and Fishers Prize-Giving Ceremony held on Thursday, 17th October 2024. Organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources, the event took place at Carambola Beach Club and formed a central part of the World Food Day Week of Activities.
The ceremony, attended by key figures including Samal Duggins, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources, and Permanent Secretary Miguel Flemming, saw awards given to outstanding contributors in crop production, livestock farming, and fisheries.
Minister Duggins, in his address, praised the dedication and hard work of the nation’s agricultural community, referring to them as “food heroes and sheroes.” He emphasised the critical role that farmers and fishers play in ensuring food security and bolstering the local economy.
“A lot of time credit isn’t given where it is due because it is you, the farmers and fishers, who ensure that our nation is properly fed and that our economy is driven by local agricultural production,” said Duggins. He commended the consistent efforts of farmers who rise before dawn and fishers who brave the seas daily to provide healthy, local food to the nation.
In his closing remarks, Minister Duggins also called on the people of St. Kitts and Nevis to make healthier dietary choices by consuming locally produced foods. “We need to eat more of what we grow,” he urged, pointing to the abundance of fresh produce like green bananas, dasheen, and other local crops as healthier alternatives to processed goods.
This year’s top honours were awarded to three individuals for their exceptional contributions. Darwin Francis received the prestigious FAO Fisher of the Year 2024 award, while Leon Anthony was named Crop Farmer of the Year. Cervin Bradshaw was recognised as Livestock Farmer of the Year.
The prize-giving ceremony was a highlight of the ministry’s broader World Food Day activities, which ran from 12th to 18th October 2024 under the theme “Right to Foods, for a Better Life and a Better Future.”
The event underscored the ongoing commitment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources to support and recognise the efforts of those working in the farming and fishing industries, crucial to St. Kitts and Nevis’ sustainable food systems.
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