The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Government has signed an $800,000 agreement with the People's Republic of China to help support Bahamian farmers through the provision of greenhouses.

Clay Sweeting, minister for agriculture, marine resources and Family Island affairs, said at the contract signing that the two-year partnership will see Beijing provide technical expertise to help construct multiple greenhouses on an acre of land at the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre. Work is expected to begin next month.

A technical manual will be produced for vegetable planting, complete with six test reports on variety selection. The Chinese will assist with the construction of three steel frame vegetable greenhouses, as well as hold two training demonstrations for vegetable planting for both local and commercial farming.

Dai Qingli. China's ambassador to The Bahamas, said the total value of the technical assistance project is $800,000. The benefits will be spread throughout the Family Islands in addition to the focus on greenhouse construction and technical manuals being produced in New Providence.

Ambassador Qingli said China was ready and willing to assist Bahamian farmers with increasing their seedling variety and quality of production. Beijing wants to set up similar technical partnerships throughout the region, and already has a working relationship with Barbados.

Mr Sweeting said it is imperative that The Bahamas reduce its food import bill. He said that if the country takes “one step at a time”, lowering the 12 percent import bill on greens through the new greenhouses and technical assistance would be “something to be proud about".