The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A CABINET minister yesterday said he is aiming to expand the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute's (BAMSI) production, with just 22 per cent of available land currently being cultivated.

Renward Wells, minister of agriculture and marine resources, said he does not anticipate the Government increasing its subvention to BAMSI beyond the $8 million allocated in the 2017-2018 Budget.

"We are seeing yields from BAMSI's fields. BAMSI has 1,000 acres. It has 225 acres under production right now," Mr Wells said. "We are looking to expand the production capacity of BAMSI in terms of bananas, how we can get corn in the field, pineapples and go after niche products in our food stores.

"We need to see what we can export as well, but we are looking first to try and fill our own domestic needs as best we can."

As for how much the Government will likely allocate for BAMSI in the upcoming Budget, Mr Wells said: "BAMSI's subvention is $8 million. I don't see us increasing BAMSI's subvention beyond the $8 million for its operation, but we will have that discussion as we move forward. "The Budget debate will start in about eight weeks, and at that time you will see what my Ministry's view is as to what we need to continue. Our subvention is separate and apart from the construction side, the building side of BAMSI; that will be in the Ministry of Works."

The Minnis administration has commissioned an audit at BAMSI. Mr Wells told this newspaper as recently as last week the audit is still ongoing.