Hon. Renward Wells, M.P. Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources

Nassau, The Bahamas; The promise that a farmers conclave would be happening before June 2018, was fulfilled to farmers by the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources when it hosted New Providence farmers to a three-day conclave at the National Training Agency on Gladstone Road Tuesday May 29^th thru Thursday May 31^st..

Farmers from Acklins, Exuma, Eleuthera and Cat Island also turned out for the sessions under the theme “Sharpening the Saw…Re-equipping and Retooling.”

Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, Hon. Renward Wells thanked the farmers for their attendance and service in feeding the nation and he challenged them to become willing partners in the goal for improved food security for our country. He said the goal of the conclave was to equip farmers with the knowledge needed to shift toward modern, efficient and productive farming while using the opportunity to network with industry stakeholders and other farmers.

Presenters included various stakeholders from Non Governmental Agencies (NGOs); Dr. Michelle Singh, from the Caribbean Agriculture  Development Institute (CARDI); Ms. Shacara Lightbourne, of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA);  Technical Officers from the Ministry and Department of Agriculture, Marine Resources, Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) and The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine  Science Institute  (BAMSI).

Farmers were informed and enlightened on new and innovative  practical  techniques, the need for adding value to the  farming, poultry and  livestock industry which will allow for more  productivity and sustainability practices. Farmers also heard from Ministry’s Economist, Mrs. Brickell Pinder on the outlook for the industry when The Bahamas accedes to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2019.

One of the highlights of the conclave was the participation of Master Nathaniel Alliday Higgs Jr., by far the conclave’s youngest participant at 12 years old. The Department of Agriculture intends to hold similar meetings on other islands in the upcoming months.

Photo of  Mr. Lavarity Deveaux  (Senior farmer) and Master Nathaniel Alliday Higgs Jr.  (Youngest Farmer) at the conclave

Group Photo of  Farmers and presenters at the  last day of farmer’s conclave

Photo of  Ministry’s Officials and Farmers at opening of the  conclave

Photo Farmers at conclave