Antigua and Barbuda Win In St Croix

Details

Food & Drink

Monday, 21 February 2011 06:55

By caribarena news

Antigua & Barbuda claimed the two top prizes for best agriculture exhibitors for 2011 at the Agri fest in St Croix from February 19-21.

The national booth placed first, while a young farmer, Twin I Payne, of Twinstod Enterprises Ltd, took the second spot.

This was the 40th agri-fest event, and provided opportunities to concretize trading, training, and other business opportunities. Participants included exhibitors, farmers, artisans, horticulturists, and business representatives.

On Friday, a discussion was facilitated from the studios of WSTX Radio in St Croix, on the show Straight Talk with Senator Holland Redfield, and Observer Radio's studio in Antigua, on Voice of the People with Winston Derrick.

This simulcast allowed discussion between Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment Hilson Baptiste and Dr Louis Petersen, Commissioner of Agriculture of St Croix, with support from Acting Director of Agriculture Jedidiah Maxime and General Manager of the Central Marketing Corporation Dalma Hill across both countries.

It was agreed that opportunities exist for trading agricultural produce between the two countries.

It was further agreed, during discussion between Dr Petersen and Permanent Secretary Sharon Peters, that Antigua & Barbuda could benefit from training opportunities, and networking on technical and capacity building in agricultural business development.

On Sunday, another meeting between Dr Petersen, Peters, Sereno Benjamin and Hill will be convened at 1 pm to  firm up other areas of opportunities and schedule a roundtable visit for Dr Petersen in Antigua.

The team has also secured an opportunity for a meeting with two of the islands' largest exporters of agricultural producers in St Croix, this week, to explore the possibilities of trade in onions.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Peters met with Kwame Garcia, University Virgin Islands, senior Director of off-island participation.

Among the topics discussed was the university's involvement in Mango Fest.

The Antigua and Barbuda team is comprised of Peters, Benjamin, Owolabi Elanjano, Hill, Onika Campbell - communications co-ordinator, Diahn Gomes of the Veterinary and Livestock Division, Irose Henry - Cades Bay Station Manager, Tracelyn Michael, Ernestine Nesbitt, and other private sector representatives and farmers.

Showcasing Antigua & Barbuda's authentic crafts and produce are Payne, Bernadette Francis, Alvis Abbott, Evette Williams, Dorothy Pelle, Icilma Bleau, Andrea Douglas, and Jeanette Galloway.

Antigua’s own Suzies’ Hot Sauce, and the signature Black pineapple are also on display.

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