St Kitts and Nevis: PAM, CCM announces future plans for agriculture and food security

People's Action Movement and the Concerned Citizens Movement, through their joint manifesto, announced their future plans and strategies for agriculture and food security ahead of the upcoming general elections, which are set for August 5, 2022. 

St Kitts and Nevis: PAM, CCM announces future plans for agriculture and food security
St Kitts and Nevis: PAM, CCM announces future plans for agriculture and food security

St Kitts and Nevis: People’s Action Movement and the Concerned Citizens Movement, through their joint manifesto, announced their future plans and strategies for agriculture and food security ahead of the upcoming general elections, which are set for August 5, 2022. 

One Movement Government will, therefore: 

  • Use tracts of land, mainly from previous sugar cane plantations, to enhance food production through smart farming.
  • Use modern technology to promote greater yields, including the creation of greenhouses. 
  • Use technology for matching opportunities with buyers and vendors such as hotels and supermarkets, as well as external markets. 
  • Provide support and incentives for the development of cottage agro-processing. 
  • Encourage widespread use of greenhouses, which typically allows farmers to increase their performance and yields while improving the quality of products. We will engage our foreign partners for assistance in that regard. 
  • Give 100% tax breaks to modern farmers for inputs needed to get the new farms functional. 
  • Improve the pedagogy for Agricultural Science in our schools starting the primary level to include agro-entrepreneurship and smart agriculture among other important areas. 
  • Implement the “Turn-Key Farming Programme”, where individuals already contracted with the government for landscaping-type activities will be provided with land, fencing, seeds, training, equipment and support. The produce they cultivate will be sold to the Marketing Promotion Agency. They will receive a portion of the profits in addition to their regular salary. The remaining profit will go back into the consolidated fund to reinvest in the program. 
  • Create a Ministry of Agriculture Credit Programme to farmers with non-interest-bearing credit to be used to buy supplies, materials, and small equipment. 

CANNABIS AS AN INDUSTRY 

St. Kitts and Nevis cannot continue to be behind the emerging Cannabis Industry. The nation must urgently utilize our advantage and rich lands to capitalize on the benefits of the industry. 

One Movement Government will build on the decriminalization of cannabis and ensure there is a framework for the selling of our Cannabis to ensure income diversification.

One Movement Government will, therefore:

  • Create a Medicinal Cannabis Authority focused on developing policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure that medicinal cannabis is available to patients in a safe and efficient manner.
  • Support research and development programmes for the country’s cannabis industry. 
  • Support farmers to participate in the cannabis value-added chains. Develop new domestic and export markets for St. Kitts and Nevis cannabis industry while supporting the growth and development of the manufacturing and product development of St. Kitts and Nevis. 
  •  Provide reparatory justice to the Rastafarian Community who has been marginalized and incriminated for years based on their religious practices. 

Blue Economy: 

One Movement Government will explore and, where feasible, harness other areas of economic potential, Including offshore energy, underwater geothermal energy, minerals and other genetic material, in addition to the more traditional marine, yachting and tourism services. 

One Movement Government will, therefore: 

  • Seek to triple our fish production within five years, thus enhancing local food security. 
  • Create an external market, particularly in Europe – that will earn foreign exchange for the country and afford fishermen and their families enhanced living. 
  •  Conduct training for fisherfolk and; provide funding assistance and support. 
  • Encourage the formation of fisherfolk co-operatives. 
  • Expand the fish processing capacity to derive greater value and increased employment. 
  • Build local storage facilities for the extended catch that will be expected.