The Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake supports the development of agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries.
Over the past few years, food security crises around the world have highlighted the urgent need for developing sustainable agricultural systems. Nearly one billion people – one out of six in the world – lack access to adequate food and proper nutrition.
By 2050, the global population is expected to surpass nine billion people, and demand for agricultural products will double. Sustainable agriculture development and food security must remain at the top of the international agenda.
"Agriculture as it was done in the past is not financially feasible today. We have to apply new innovative ways and approaches in a sustainable manner.
"I would like to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) where this is concerned as each Ministry has responsibilities in this field that overlaps each other.
"Because of our tourism industry we can look at the term Agri-Tourism and apply that approach in our agricultural development vision. We can create unique micro intensive farm systems with the right ingredients that can create employment opportunities for our young people.
"We need to put zoning in place to protect our valleys and hills. These are the areas that can be planted with fruit trees. We need to make these areas accessible by helping property owners who want to develop the land agriculturally by making roads to these areas.
"We need to secure land around the ring road to establish a Farmers Market place. We need to establish an Agricultural station where the population can go purchase freshly grown produce. What we need to develop is a vision document involving various stakeholders leading to a policy document and I am ready to collaborate with Ministry TEATT in taking steps in this direction," Minister Lake said on Tuesday.