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| Agro-Processing
Unit Opened at Prospect Estate |
| By Patrice Pemberton |
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Agro-Processing
Centre
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The Nevis Island Administration officially
opened the Nevis Agro-Processing Centre on Tuesday,
April 20 at about 3:30 p.m. at Prospect Estate.
The center will aid local agro-processors in making
their products more effectively, and with better presentation
and labelling.
A small ceremony was held in front of the building;
Ms. Venelle Powell sang the national anthem and Pastor
Eric Maynard performed the invocation.
The event Chair, Mr. Eric Evelyn, remarked that having
an agro-processing unit was a major achievement, as
some neighbouring Caribbean nations did not have one,
and that it should be used with pride.
Director of Agriculture, Mr. Keithley Amory, made some
brief remarks. He informed that many workshops had been
organized in conjunction with the Inter-American Institute
for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and encouraged
locals to make jam, jellies and such like at home.
"As expected, in time, they outgrew their kitchens,"
he said.
As a result, the Nevis Agro-Processors Co-operative
Society Ltd was formed so that the government could
provide assistance, both informational and financial.
Permanent Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Kelvin Daly,
was also on hand at the opening ceremony.
"The significance of this project cannot be overstated,"
he said. In a humourous aside, he continued, "We
must be able to at least replace Kool Aid."
Dr. Daly mentioned further that limitations are only
by our own imaginations, and informed that the planting
of lime, orange, manseport and coconut had begun on
Nevis.
Mrs. Ingrid Greene-Mills of IICA talked about the fact
that making jams and jellies remains a long Nevisian
tradition, further noting that August and September
are the months when fruits were plentiful, and when
persons are mainly engaging in making these products.
She also stated that although their products were of
high quality, they were stored in used containers without
proper labels and unattractively presented.
"IICA wanted to ensure that this task was approached
in a methodical manner," she posited.
Mrs. Greene-Mills gave three recommendations:
1. That the highest priority need was for training in
food safety and preservation.
2. That IICA, in collaboration with the Ministry of
Agriculture, should encourage and assist local processors
in the foundation of a co-operative to serve as a focal
point for a small processing industry.
3. That the feasibility of establishing a community
processing facility should be explored.
Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Robelto Hector, was also
present to share his
thoughts. He encouraged persons to market their products
in every gift shop and supermarket in the Federation,
just as the Department of Agriculture had done in paving
the way.
He also urged the processors not to be "selfish"
with their knowledge and skills learnt.
Premier of Nevis, Hon. Joseph Parry, was present and
addressed event attendees, sending a message to the
farmers that they should work together.
Afterwards, several gift baskets filled with agro-processed
goods, such as pepper jams and drinks, were distributed
to the dignitaries and other persons. Mr. Arthur Evelyn,
the Agriculture Minister on Nevis, was among those who
received a basket. The distributors were Dwight Browne
and Emontine Thompson.
Pastor Maynard prayed a special blessing over the building
and Mrs. Maureen Stapleton (an agro-processor) performed
the vote of thanks.
Premier Parry, with Augustine Merchant (an IICA member)
standing beside him, cut the ribbon. Afterward, attendees
took a brief tour of the 12-room facility, including
a viewing of the cooler, a lab, and a water purification
system.
Among the entities that made the opening possible were
the CDB, CFNI, PAHO, IICA, and local persons. |
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