The Tribune

A newly-appointed Cabinet Minister shared his vision for the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) with its 200 staff when he toured the North Andros facility last week.

The visit by Michael Pintard, minister of agriculture and marine resources, was intended to enable him to understand BAMSI's role and operations, and to familiarise himself with staff members. It included stops at BAMSI's research and tutorial farm, school campus and other offices and entities.

Mr Pintard said parts of BAMSI's operations will be much different going forward. Changes would come, he assured staff members, after necessary research and discussions with stakeholders, including his predecessor, Renward Wells, and BAMSI's Board members and senior management team.

The Minister, who studied agricultural economics at McGill University, said at that stage of his academic development it became clear that many obstacles hindering the agriculture industry's development were political in nature.

He added that, as with the tourism sector, many workers confused service with servitude, suggesting that agriculture's close entanglement with the slave era had cast a deep stain on the sector, causing the younger Bahamians to disengage and quickly turn away from opportunities.

"I keep in mind the reason I was motivated to study agriculture; it was about changing the condition of our people. We are going to increase not just food production, but the production of non-food items as well. And remember, BAIC is an integral part of this ministry also," Mr Pintard said.

He also highlighted the fact that Bahamian agriculture was not producing in the quantities that are needed to satisfy the demands of the market. With poultry production, despite the fact that Bahamians consume a tremendous amount of chicken, producers can only currently supply some 30 per cent of what the market requires.

Mr Pintard also questioned why the sector is not producing the feed that animals require. "There are opportunities everywhere. Why are we not processing those things," he said.

Accompanying the minister was parliamentary secretary, Carlton Bowleg, who is also MP for North Andros and the Berry Islands. Representing BAMSI was its chief executive and general manager, Alaasis Braynen, and members of its public relations and IT teams.

Highlighting the Institute's mission to formulate a sustainable food security plan, and introduce initiatives that will help reduce The Bahamas' $1bn food import bill, the group toured the Lan' Crab Cafeteria, Organic Solar and the research division - including the campus facilities and the BARTAD Building. These are headed by executive director, Dr Raveenia Roberts-Hanna.

While at the latter location, registrar Deanne Williamson introduced Mr Pintard and his delegation to BAMSI support staff and led them on a tour of the classrooms and laboratories. The group also visited the packing houses, where Mr Pintard was able to witness the post-harvest procedures that are implemented to ensure produce is properly prepared for shipment to New Providence.