By: Devene Smithen
Nevis has long been economically dependent on one major industry as the provider of its citizen’s jobs and that is tourism. Do you know how many persons on Nevis work in these hotels? More than half of the working population do. It is very risky thing to be as dependent on an industry as fragile as tourism. Nevis, like many other Caribbean countries, are within the hurricane zone and are likely to be hit by hurricanes every year as has been the case in the past. With damages to hotels and other business places many of our citizens are left unemployed because of businesses being closed. Although agriculture is not immune to damages caused by hurricanes, if we look at the recuperation time between these two industries, we would see that agriculture has a quicker recovery time. Leaning towards a viable and sustainable agriculture can ease the concerns about our economic future and encourage the reduction of imported produce that we depend on for our daily needs.
Nevis must look at new ways of providing new agricultural enterprises through added value that creates a sustainable commercial agricultural industry. This can work well and be beneficial to all, including those in the tourism industry. Commercial agriculture on a much larger scale than it is now presents a number of benefits to Nevis. It provides revenue, provides greater income and jobs, improves economic strength, and makes us more self-reliant.
We must look to support and encourage the Department of Agriculture’s “Buy Local Eat Local” theme, which allows us to know what we are eating and what the producers are providing. I am confident that with organic and limited chemical contents on our produce, we can make healthy and sustainable by-products that would benefit our diet.
Whilst tourism continues to be the main economic earner on the island, we can make agriculture a major contributor as well. Even our small scale farming can be commercially viable by adding value through agro-processing and manufacturing.
We must increase our economic wealth by ensuring that tourism isn’t our only real hope of wealth and growth. Let us promote farming as a workable and sustainable option for the old, the young and the not so young in Nevis. Let us discourage the future economic uncertainty or problems. Together we can lead Nevis to a more sustainable economic future. Thank you.
The Importance of having Sustainable Agriculture in Nevis
Nevisians should Lean towards Sustainable Agriculture
By: Devene Smithen
Nevis has long been economically dependent on one major industry as the provider of its citizen’s jobs and that is tourism. Do you know how many persons on Nevis work in these hotels? More than half of the working population do. It is very risky thing to be as dependent on an industry as fragile as tourism. Nevis, like many other Caribbean countries, are within the hurricane zone and are likely to be hit by hurricanes every year as has been the case in the past. With damages to hotels and other business places many of our citizens are left unemployed because of businesses being closed. Although agriculture is not immune to damages caused by hurricanes, if we look at the recuperation time between these two industries, we would see that agriculture has a quicker recovery time. Leaning towards a viable and sustainable agriculture can ease the concerns about our economic future and encourage the reduction of imported produce that we depend on for our daily needs.
Nevis must look at new ways of providing new agricultural enterprises through added value that creates a sustainable commercial agricultural industry. This can work well and be beneficial to all, including those in the tourism industry. Commercial agriculture on a much larger scale than it is now presents a number of benefits to Nevis. It provides revenue, provides greater income and jobs, improves economic strength, and makes us more self-reliant.
We must look to support and encourage the Department of Agriculture’s “Buy Local Eat Local” theme, which allows us to know what we are eating and what the producers are providing. I am confident that with organic and limited chemical contents on our produce, we can make healthy and sustainable by-products that would benefit our diet.
Whilst tourism continues to be the main economic earner on the island, we can make agriculture a major contributor as well. Even our small scale farming can be commercially viable by adding value through agro-processing and manufacturing.
We must increase our economic wealth by ensuring that tourism isn’t our only real hope of wealth and growth. Let us promote farming as a workable and sustainable option for the old, the young and the not so young in Nevis. Let us discourage the future economic uncertainty or problems. Together we can lead Nevis to a more sustainable economic future. Thank you.