Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Eric Evelyn, has reaffirmed the Nevis Island Administration’s (NIA) strong commitment to supporting the island’s farmers, highlighting significant achievements in 2024 and promising continued assistance in 2025.
Speaking during the NIA’s 2024 Budget Debate on December 5, Minister Evelyn outlined key initiatives to ease costs and enhance productivity. “Farmers benefit from concessions on inputs, both locally and imported, and our land preparation rates remain the cheapest in the region,” he noted.
In 2024, over 200 hours of excavation and backhoe services were provided free of charge, credit at the Larinson Parry Agricultural Depot was increased, and input costs were reduced.
The minister also highlighted the success of a five-year Global Environment Fund (GEF) project, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), aimed at restoring 265 hectares of land for sustainable agriculture.
Workshops on land practices and pest management benefited 18 farmers, who also received critical resources such as ground cover, fencing, tools, and seedlings valued at $35,994.
Minister Evelyn stressed that the administration’s technical and tangible support would continue in 2025 to ensure agriculture remains a vital pillar of Nevis’ economy.
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