Agriculture sector targeted for Heroes Day honours
Agriculture Minister Kurt Tibbetts
(CNS): The government is focusing on boosting growth in agriculture, highlighted by next year’s National Heroes Day when farmers will be recognised for their contributions to the industry. Nominations will be open through the end of September to honour both early pioneers and current leaders in agriculture in Cayman.
Also in the works are the start of a new fruit and vegetable distribution service, plans to enhance local food security, and hosting a major Caribbean agriculture conference in 2016.
In announcing the agenda last week, Agriculture Minister Kurt Tibbetts thanked farmers, supermarkets and restaurants for their unified approach to promoting agriculture in the Cayman Islands. “This is especially encouraging to farmers, and some are now branching out into areas like the production of herbs and spices, goat farming on Cayman Brac, and expanding their cattle-farming efforts,” he said.
Farmers and ranchers also continue to benefit from the ongoing boom in demand for fresh local produce by consumers, restaurants and supermarkets, he added. “Quality is no longer an issue for supermarkets…I thank our farmers for doing what they love to do, and for allowing the Cayman Islands to be as self-sufficient as possible,” Tibbetts said.
The new distribution service will be the Market at the Cricket Grounds, which is set to open next month. This private-sector led initiative will allow the open-air sale of produce, healthy snacks, arts and crafts. The third such venue, it will complement the popular Market at the Grounds in Savannah each Saturday, and the Market at Camana Bay every Wednesday.
Tibbetts encouraged more public-private partnerships such as these as well as link-ups with agricultural and veterinary organisations, to promote farming and good animal husbandry. He added that the local Food and Nutrition Security Policy should soon be drafted and tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
For the National Heroes Day celebration, set for 25 January 2016, the nomination categories for outstanding contributions to the development and/or delivery of agriculture in the Cayman Islands are:
Early Pioneer – Anyone who has made a significant contribution before 1960 (may be alive or deceased).
Pioneer – A person who has made a significant contribution between 1960 and 2005 (may be alive or deceased). A commemorative insignia and certificate will be awarded.
Emerging Pioneer – Persons who have made significant contributions from 2005 to present. Honourees will receive certificates, but will not commemorative insignias.
Memorial Scroll – Any deceased persons who were leaders or notable contributors to the development and/or delivery of agriculture in the Cayman Islands. They will be recognised with certificates, but will not receive commemorative insignias.
Long Service Award – Persons (living) who may not necessarily have been leaders, but who have contributed for 10 years or more. They will be recognised with certificates, but will not receive commemorative insignias.
For more information or to submit or download a nomination form, go to the Ministry of Health website
Category: Agriculture
