Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 02, 2015 (SKNIS): Food production and preservation in St. Kitts and Nevis is expected to be improved with the expansion of agro-processing services as the local government implements measures to boost food security.
On Tuesday (December 01), government signed an agreement with the Republic of China (Taiwan), for the Food Processing Commercialization Development Expert Dispatch Project designed to improve and raise the revenue generated by processing foods such as breadfruit, green banana, flour, pumpkin powder, guava cheese and others. The 12-month project is expected to strengthen brand marketing, adding more value to products marketed and consumed. Additionally, a cheque was presented from Taiwan to the government for the Vegetable, Fruit and Upland Crop Quality and Safety Improvement Project that will strengthen testing capabilities in areas such as pesticide residue and soil fertility.
“Today is a very important day for the agriculture sector,” said Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Eugene Hamilton, noting that it represents additional opportunities for local farmers to satisfy local consumption needs and regional demand through increasing export avenues.
Agro-processing is particularly important to females as statistics quoted by Minister Hamilton reveal that 80 percent of persons involved in the venture are women.
The minister also reflected on the 30 plus year partnership that St. Kitts and Nevis has with Taiwan and applauded resident ambassador, His Excellency George Gow Wei Chiou, for his “efforts in strengthening and cementing the invaluable ties.”
Ambassador Chiou noted that experts from his country will come to the twin-island Federation to work alongside locals in conducting product research and development, band marketing management, education promotion and sustainable development.
“Through the implementation of these four goals we can expect the improvement of our current food processing functions and this will raise the revenue generated from the processing of food,” he stated. “In combination with the development of tourism, this project will create new marketing management techniques and the upgrading of commercial skills.”
The ROC (Taiwan) has also made significant contributions in public safety and security, health, sports, information technology, community development and more over the past 32 years.