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by pltm
(PLTM) - It has been said that the territory can no longer rely on the financial services sector and the tourism industry as its sole economic pillars, and as such, there needs to be diversification.
In view of this, political aspirants from the parties currently in the election race have promised to put more focus on the development of the agriculture and fisheries sector, in hopes of developing this as a third economic pillar.
As a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the farming and fishing industries suffered over $13 million in losses; however, in the 2018 budget, a mere $300,000 was allocated to help with rebuilding the sectors.
In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Seventh District Candidate, Dr. Natalio ‘Sowande Uhuru’ Wheatley, he declared, “We are too heavily reliant on financial services and tourism, and I am suggesting that we can make agriculture a viable industry in the Virgin Islands.”
This, he said, could be done by, “forming an Agricultural Corporation that will be able to invest the necessary money possible into the sector to make it viable.”
His fellow VIP At Large candidate, Mr. Neville ‘Sheep’ Smith expressed his view that the two sectors were overlooked over the years. Part of his vision for the sectors, he shared, is the development of a joint Agriculture and Fisheries Complex and Marketplace.
Mr. Smith added, “We have over 200 miles off Anegada that belongs to the Virgin Islands that we’re responsible for. And most of those big companies out of China, they come here and they fish…We’re actually buying back the same fish out of our waters, so why not we be the one to export our fish?”
This does not have to be limited to vegetables and fishing, he said, as he touted cattle rearing.
Hon. Julian Fraser, the Chairman of Progressives United (PU) at their January 11 launch also touched on the need for the restoration of the farming sector, saying, “Food security is a must, and it can only happen here with Government taking the lead.”
He promised that within the first 100 days, a PU Government would put livestock and provision stock in place for the farming community on its way to restoration. “Progressives United will declare greenhouse technology a national interest for the territory,” he added. Meanwhile, the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) has prioritised the sectors in their Business Plan for their first year in office, so that they can also ensure food security and additional revenue streams.
“In the Virgin Islands, it is estimated that we import about $325 million worth of food every year, including fish and poultry. Agriculture is big business everywhere in the world and must become a national priority for the Virgin Islands,” the Plan stated.
Their strategy includes “Developing a loan or grant programme so that commercial fishermen can acquire more appropriate boats to go further out to sea and/or engage in new shipping methods, such as long line,” and restoring the fishing complex a priority.
Notably, the allocations for the restoration of the Fisheries Complex was included in the $300,000 earmarked for farming and fishing last year, despite the losses to the fishing industry taking up $3 million of the total $13 million losses in the two sectors.
Over on the National Democratic Party (NDP) side, Mr. Hipolito Penn, who will be running for District Seven, declared that his party will ensure that farming and fishing becomes “our main economical pillars.”
However, in making this declaration on Saturday, January 12 at the party’s pep rally, he did not expound on a plan forward in this regard.
