Starter kits were given out during launch of the Ministry of Agriculture’s backyard farming program on Saturday. Minister Lawrence ‘Larry’ Cartwright (third from right) and Permanent Secretary Cresswell Sturrup (third from left) are pictured with participants.
Nassau, Bahamas – Scores of backyard gardeners were given their kits on Saturday as Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Larry Cartwright launched what he hoped is the first step towards greater food security.
“This programme is simply the beginning as it seeks to foster greater participation by individuals in the production of food,” said Mr. Cartwright.
The kits included seeds, planting material, fertilizer, hoses, literature on gardening and a lime tree. Participants had the further choice of a mango or avocado tree.
They were given a crash course in gardening by Assistant Director of Agriculture Stan Smith and curator Basil Miller.
“In addition to its aim of reducing our reliance on imported food items and the food budgets of families,” said Mr. Cartwright, “this backyard farming programme will also serve to encourage better stewardship of the Earth, to create more green spaces and to introduce a generation of children and young people to the soil.”
He noted that around the world, the growth of urban farming can be attributed to the global food crisis.
Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture, for example, has fostered backyard farming as an approach to food security and as a means of reducing the food budgets of householders in the face of rising food prices.
Not long ago New Providence contained a variety of fruit trees, root crops, beans, peas, and an assortment of vegetables, he recalled.
“Where pumpkin and melon vines once ran, crab grass now exists and where pepper, mint, spinach, and sunflower grew, ornamental hedges now grow,” he observed.
However, the response to the Ministry’s backyard gardening programme has been overwhelming.
“I believe that this experience will be richly rewarding for you and your family,” he told participants. “You are encouraged therefore to treat your backyard farm as a family enterprise.
“Simple fruits and vegetables that we take for granted such as tamarind, guava, tomatoes, sweet peppers and others can provide economic benefits for us in many ways.
“Moreover, backyard grown fruits and vegetables are higher and richer in nutritional value…compared to chemically ripened fruits.”
He invited backyard gardeners participate in the agriculture expo scheduled for next February 26 through 28 at the Gladstone Road Agriculture Center.
Yea Monique we have get back to basic,there is just so much going on right now with the economy.
By the looks of things a pair of gloves, hose and shovel is a great investment. I concord Kim, lets do this…..bring it on!!
Lets get back to it, then!!! Farming it is!!
Minister Larry Cartwrightis doing an excellent job by introducing this program at this time. This program can be so beneficial in many ways: It might be a good business opportunity for many persons who have recently lost their jobs; it can be a good way for families to spend more time together sharing in gardening work; this is something positive that parents could consider for their kids, who are looking for something constructive for their kids to do after school or on the weekend, this could even be use as therapy for the elderly, With the high cost for fruits and vegetables in our food stores, this might be a good way to save some money and eat more healthy. People let’s get back to farming!!!!
Minister Larry Cartwrightis doing an excellent job by introducing this program at this time. This program can be so beneficial in many ways: It might be a good business opportunity for many persons who have recently lost their jobs; it can be a good way for families to spend more time together sharing in gardening work; this is something positive that parents could consider for their kids, who are looking for something constructive for their kids to do after school or on the weekend, this could even be use as therapy for the elderly, With the high cost for fruits and vegetables in our food stores, this might be a good way to save some money and eat more healthy. People let’s get back to farming!!!!
imagine if we all joined in with this effort and grew our fruits and vegetables and herbs….imagine the difference it would make, on our household budgets….imagine then what we can do with our excess….the possibilities are there for us to own.
Finally someone in this government making sense. Way to go Cartwright!!
Excellent stuff! Hope we will produce plywood and other building materials soon.
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