By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
AGRICULTURE and Fisheries Minister Michael Pintard said The Bahamas must closely monitor its food supplies during the COVID-19 crisis as major agricultural producers around the world are considering reducing their exports or locking down.
However, he stressed in the House of Assembly yesterday this country’s short-term food supplies are adequate.
“Governments are contemplating reducing their export of key agriculture products given domestic demands,” he said.
“Vietnam, the third largest rice exporter, has restricted sales in light of concerns over domestic availability. Major producers are now on lockdown and cargo transfers are slowing. We must prepare for what may emerge.”
To handle the crisis, Mr Pintard said his ministry has produced an emergency food production plan to strengthen food and nutrition security.
Calling The Bahamas’ food demand bill staggering, he said the 2017 Election Boundary Report is being used to determine the annual food needs of the population if imports become scarce.
He said strengthening production systems for existing farmers by providing inputs like seeds is one of the ways to accelerate food production. Making hydroponic systems and greenhouses available to a range of producers, including young farmers and backyard gardeners, is another way, he said.
“Additionally, it is the intention of my ministry to assist farmers… by providing clearing of farmland beginning first in those islands devastated by Hurricane Dorian,” he said. “We have plans to assist 19 in Grand Bahama and 40 on Abaco at a total cost of some four $479,600. The remaining funds allocated for this initiative will be shared with the other farmers throughout the Bahamas.”
To address the possibility of reduced imports, Mr Pintard said his ministry has recommended purchasing 343 hydroponic systems for $343,000; 10,000 backyard gardening kits for $240,000 and a programme to intensify egg production, estimated at $376,217.
Comments
birdiestrachan 4 years ago
Really Pintard. ? You met BAMSI in place, why have you waited so very long.
Lots of mouth and no action.
moncurcool 4 years ago
Oh please. Let's stop looking through the political lenses.
RealTalk 4 years ago
"However, he stressed in the House of Assembly yesterday this country’s short-term food supplies are adequate."
How many months does Mr. Pintard consider short-term especially at the rate people are now buying groceries? 1 month, 2 months....maybe 3....
TalRussell 4 years ago
There's reasonable scientific reason to believe the coronoavirus will diminish itself then rebound second version which could be an even more deadly rebound. Nod once for yeah, Twice for no?
happyfly 4 years ago
Maybe they will give those guys doing hydroponics by Lucaya farms an electrical certificate so they can actually turn the system on now. I think the MOW have only had them held up for a year and a half now since the system was installed. Good luck everyone.
Bahamianbychoice 4 years ago
So he is three years into his term and now just emphasizing food security now that we are in a crisis...Really!! Define short term!!! What is the plan!! Been too busy frustrating all the Bahamian fishermen I hear..very same industry that is pretty much the ONLY business generating US dollars for the country now that tourism has halted ..as well as keeping the out islands employed after the hurricane...all kinds of mouth and absolutely no sense..
moncurcool 4 years ago
Remember, he was not the minister of agriculture for 3 years.
Bahamianbychoice 4 years ago
Thankyou for correcting. While I understand what you are saying I am not sure I can give him a pass. There has not been a big push for food security that I am aware of action wise. Most recently I know he lobbied for sailing to be a national sport with the different federations..and this was after the hurricane when I thought the main focus of any Minister of Agriculture would be addressing food security..not sailing..now here we are..potentially looking at a food shortage.
SP 4 years ago
Crises management will kill us all!
concerned799 4 years ago
All good ideas, but we need a much bigger roll out, much quicker.
Every community needs its own local growing plans.
sheeprunner12 4 years ago
Every island needs a food security and exchange plan …….. The food base of The Bahamas should be cassava, sweet potato, yam, peas, beans and corn along with vegetables, bananas and pumpkin. We have enough local fruits to eat …….. We have to make cassava flour and chips and can and juice our extras …….. That should be the plan that Pintard is talking about.
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