Visitors and residents participate in the 2008 Farmers’ Week activities held on V.G. on Thursday, Feb. 7.

Speaking at the Virgin Gorda Farmer’s Week ceremony on Thursday February 7, the Minister explained this move to developing cultivation technology.

“I will move agriculture to another level, to commercialise it and produce food to feed the entire Virgin Islands ,” Minister Hodge said, adding that as God gave him health and strength, he will prove that BVI can be self-sufficient.  “What you see hear today is only a- sign of things to come,” Minster Hodge concluded.

Other members on the platform were Territorial Representatives Honourable Keith Flax and Honourable Irene Penn-O’Neal, Acting Chief Agricultural Officer Bevin Braithwaite, Methodist Minister Reverend Tyrone Hunkins, and Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School Principal Gracia Stevens.

During the ceremony, top farmers on Virgin Gorda were honoured for their exceptional work. National Awards for 2008 were presented to Stanley Defreitas, who won Best Crop Farmer; Monilyn George, Best Mixed Farmer; Alma Stevens, Best Backyard Garden ; Dale Wheatley, Best Livestock Farmer; and Haitram Ramgobin, Best Orchard Farmer.

Winners in the Garden Club Competition, which were also announced, varied in age from five years to adult.

A large young contingent from the pre-primary, primary and secondary schools attended and participated in the exhibition, in keeping with the Department of Agriculture’s goal to include more young people in the sector.

Vendors displayed and sold their produce, livestock, handicraft, preserves, and a variety of local foods and drinks. The Solid Waste Department’s mascot ‘Bruce the Mongoose’ made a presentation at the exhibition and interacted with the children.

The week of activities ended on Friday with a grand food fair in the Palm Grove Park .

Farmers’ Week 2008 celebrations started on February 1 under the theme; “No Time to Wait! Cultivate - The Right to Food in 2008”.  The week of activities began with an opening ceremony at Paraquita Bay , Tortola .  Exhibition activities moved from Tortola to the sister islands of Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda.

Farmers Week was first observed in 1992 under the theme “Eat Local, Grow Local.” Each year the department uses the week to highlight this vital industry and the hard work of local farmers.

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