Show of unity at farmers’ workshop.
ST. EUSTATIUS–Every year, St. Eustatius imports almost US $1 million worth of fruit and produce. Last week, a farmers’ workshop took place for local growers to see how the creation of a cooperative could prove more economical and healthy for the island community.
Attempts by the local and central Governments to encourage local agriculture have previously not been met with complete success. But workshop co-organizer, Director of St. Eustatius Foundation (SEF) and Eastern Caribbean Public Health Foundation (ECPHF) Dr. Teresa Leslie thinks that given the right motivation and method, Statia could be self-sufficient.
“Fruit and produce that arrive in refrigerated containers are often tired once they line our supermarket shelves. Sell-by-dates are soon expired alongside the quality of the imported goods. Carrots from California soon become rubber, and broccoli florets from Florida become discoloured and discarded. Statia consumers deserve better and island-grown vegetables and fruit are infinitely healthier. For local farmers, working together would mean they could produce more and earn more,” Leslie stated.
Leslie is not alone in her “grow local-for-local” beliefs. New Director for Economy and Infrastructure Anthony Reid also organized the workshop, and is determined to work towards making the idea of a cooperative become a reality. Thanks to his personal efforts the workshop attracted 15 participants.
Step by step
‘Local growers are set in their own ways, and their own ways are perfect. But just imagine what can be done together. Nothing will be achieved overnight, but with a step-by-step approach, I am convinced that together with much give and take, we can create a booming home market. That will require a change in what we grow, how we do the marketing and distribution for what we want to sell. Farmers must grow larger as a business that is about growing.”
However, Reid realizes that change will not come without improvements in the way agriculture is structured on Statia.
Ann Marlin-Evans from AA Accounting Service in St. Maarten was facilitator during the workshop. Her message was clear. “It is time to get smarter on Statia. ‘Agripreneurship’ has died on many Caribbean islands for numerous reasons: great produce but no paper trails, missed expenses, no sales records, late tax filing, no stock control, and no idea of where the business has been, or where the future could flow. And if change means a simple business plan, proper bookkeeping and administration, knowing the needs of customers and driving the business forward, so be it. The choice is clear: happy hobby or big and better business?”
Statia has experienced many challenges in this field. Restaurateur René Reehuis knows what to expect from local cultivators. As programme manager for innovation, he was also involved in promoting earlier attempts to encourage agriculture on the “Historical Gem.”
“I want basic produce such as onions or tomatoes in the kitchen and on the menu every day of the week. I prefer that they are local, but I need to plan the produce. Our waiters cannot wait with empty plates on empty tables. But just imagine, if I could tell my customers that we buy everything from the island. That would be a great selling point.
Reehuis said that agricultural subsidies have not worked in the past. “They have been welcome, but not always invested on a structural basis. Whereas these funds have kept some agricultural activities alive, they were used to finance labour cost, as well as other expenses. In the long term, we have to work smarter, not harder on Statia. A more collective approach is needed.
Leslie is not downhearted by this lack of willingness for more government hand-outs. “Our workshop was funded by the European Union’s COSME programme for small and medium-sized enterprises based in Tortola. It is not the job of the EU to sow one single seed in Statia soil. But they are determined to wake us up to the goal of self-sufficiency and sustainability.”
She said it is “complete nonsense” to import containers of bananas grown in Trinidad or the Dominican Republic that have been transhipped to Miami or New York. “Our climate might not predict the harvesting of our crops, but our common sense and taste buds suggest that we can do things better. If St. Kitts and Anguilla can rely on home supply of delicious and fresh food, so can we.”
A follow-up meeting with farmers will take place sooner rather than later. “SEF looks forward to collaborating further with Reid and his efforts to build a cooperative into a vibrant business,” said Leslie.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/67756-cooperative-food-for-thought-for-farmers-on-st-eustatius
View comments
Hide comments