GOV.VC
A project geared at strengthening the management of water and soil resources for the sustainability of the agri-food systems of seven (7) Caribbean countries was launched here on Thursday, 18th May, 2023.
The project, which is being funded through the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture of Argentina, will see the implementation of a Water Shed Project on Mayreau.
Focal Point for the project Karomo Browne said the project concept involves the construction of a shed in Mayreau for water harvesting and the installation of tanks for water storage. He pointed out that a project of this nature is critical as Mayreau is a very dry island that has limited ability to retain moisture.
Browne added that the people on Mayreau are dependent on the importation of food and the Ministry of Agriculture aims to promote local production and consumption of vegetables on the island.
Meanwhile, Chief Agricultural Officer Renato Gumbs said the project is very important and noted that the establishment of the plot on Mayreau would be a good base for collection of data for the performance of crops. He is hoping that the collection of data and the application of the technical skills in the project will help the ministry to make recommendations for a broader project.
Gumbs said over the years farmers have overlooked the importance of soils in the planning for agriculture. But he is encouraging them to take advantage of the dry spells because productivity is expected to be higher in dry spells, as there are less incidences of diseases and more sunlight.
Meanwhile, representative from Argentina’s Ministry of Agriculture, Maria Cornelli, said the objective of the project is to develop participatory planning strategies and technology for the management of water and soil resources in order to contribute to the sustainability of agriculture in the region.
A sum of eight thousand Euros is allocated to the Mayreau Water Shed Project.
SOURCE: Agency For Public Information