Minister Appeals to Backyard Gardeners

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Homes & Gardens

Thursday, 10 May 2012 02:30

By D Francis

Antigua St John's - An  eager crowd turned out for the National Backyard Garden programme on Wednesday at the Ministry of Agriculture headquarters. They got plenty of food for thought.

Minister of Agriculture Hilson Baptiste reminded the home producers and backyard farmers that the closest they can get to organic production is backyard gardening.

He said that hundreds of dollars worth of food is being produced from backyard gardening, and urged locals to get back to the habit of caring and sharing with their neighbours through what they grow.

Also addressing the function was Harold Lovell Acting Prime Minister Harold Lovell, who commended Baptiste for this initiative, which not only seeks to put food on the family table, but also serves to cushion the much talked-about economic impact.

He called on farmers to do their part to close the huge gap in agriculture being created by the importation of food.

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According to Lovell, the backyard garden is initiative is essential for food security.

Florita Dentist, FAO’s Sub-regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, reminded the farmers that fresh fruits and vegetables can assist in reducing the impact of non-communicable diseases.

She urged them to eat what they grow from the soil, and she was very happy to see the turnout and interest shown in this programme, but warned that the products that they receive should not be taken lightly.

“I am happy to see that we are happy to eat what we grow and many of us here have already started growing our own food at home, so this distribution should only enhance what you are doing," she said. "Put these seedlings to good use."

The crowd received a variety of seedlings and trees after registering and presenting their seedling trays.

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