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Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves says agriculture remains the largest employer of Vincentians and one of the largest direct contributors to the wealth and wellbeing of citizens.

However, opposition spokesperson on the sector, MP for North Leeward, Roland “Patel” Matthews said that the minister’s Budget Address contained only “flowery language” as it relates to agriculture.

“When we look at the flowery language, Mr. Speaker, associated with the agriculture industry and the impact that it is supposed to be making, in reality, it is not happening. It is not happening, Mr. Speaker, and we must do better,” Matthews said during last week’s Budget Debate.

In his Budget Address on Feb. 3, Gonsalves said that in 2019, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) exported more livestock, tonnes of seafood and cocoa than ever before, becoming the first new country of origin for coffee production in more than 50 years.

For the first time in recent history, SVG emerged from the Christmas season without the need to import eggs, he said, adding that with production of 50,000 eggs per day, the country is now poised to export eggs regionally.

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The resolution of the currency exchange impasse with Trinidad and Tobago means that Vincentian itinerant traders in agricultural produce (“traffickers”) are enjoying increased exports of root crops and other agricultural produce.

Hundreds of local farmers have become licensed as cannabis cultivators, and large swaths of land have been bought or leased for the production of medicinal cannabis,” the finance minister said.

He said that agriculture in SVG is in a period of rapid change and exciting possibilities.

“This reinvigorated sector … is poised to be a dynamic engine for growth and development over the coming decade,” Gonsalves said.

Camillo 1
Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves presenting the budget. (iWN photo)

Gonsalves said that the Budget demonstrates the power of our farmers, fisher folk and the agriculture sector.

“Our goal to become the breadbasket of the southern Caribbean is rooted in our faith in the talent of our hardworking Vincentian farmers and fisher folk, and our confidence in the developmental potential of agriculture,” Gonsalves said.

He further stated that with Argyle International Airport in operation, a modern seaport project underway, and a host of public and private sector investments in agricultural production, “the time is ripe for a strengthening and deepening of Agriculture and Fisheries as unshakeable pillars of national growth and development.

“With $45 million of recurrent and capital expenditure invested in the sector, Budget 2020 is a powerful statement of confidence in the transformative power of Vincentian farmers and fisher folk,” Gonsalves said. 

9.5 for oratory skill; 4.5 for practicality 

But in his contribution to the debate, Matthew ranked the finance minister highly for his oratory skills but gave him a failing grade for practicality.

“Mr. Speaker, the budget, as I said, for oratory skills, I gave the minister nine and a half.  Sounds very good. But with practicality — Mr. Speaker, I must admit there are some things in it, like the PRYME (Promotion of Youth Microenterprises) programme, which is good — I give him four out of 10,” Matthews said.

Matthews acknowledged and applauded the increase in fish landings, adding that fishing has historically been a very important part of the livelihood of the people of North Leeward.

“But, Mr. Speaker, I have heard about renovations of fishing centres and so on,” Matthews said.

He said that in 2001, there was a brand new fisheries centre in Chateaubelair, the only town in his constituency.

“It was left to rot and right now, to repair it might cost more than when it was built,” Matthews said.

He further said that while local fisher folk are, rightly, being praised and urged continue to land millions of dollars’ worth of fish, the government is bringing in large multi-million dollar competitors.

“Mr. Speaker, I am hoping that the multi-million competitor, in the long run, doesn’t make the local fisher folks who are doing so well, based on the minister and observation, take them out of business,” Matthews said.

 The opposition lawmaker said he believes that agriculture and fishing are two important industries in which Vincentians can make money, noting that people are becoming more health-conscious about their diet.

“So it’s a niche market that we can develop in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  But that is the reason why I said if the Minister of Finance believed to his heart the opening remarks he gave under agriculture and fisheries, then we should see more local people given the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to excel in areas of fishing and agriculture,” Matthews said.

Patel Matthews
Member of Parliament for the North Leeward, Roland “Patel” Matthews. (iWN file photo)

He said that in every budget debate he comes to the conclusion that agriculture “is being treated like a stepchild.

“I used that phrase on many occasions because, in my view, Mr. Speaker, and in the view on this side, more can be done for his vital sector.”

Matthews said that Gonsalves was supporting his position when he said in the budget address that he recognises SVG’s “custody of the region’s most fertile soil, most talented farmers and most able fisher folk”.

“Very strong words, Mr. Speaker. Very strong words, but where is the major investment from the government’s standpoint?”

He contrasted government investments in agriculture to its input in the tourism sector.

“[The government is spending] millions of dollars to set up a hotel business to give somebody else to manage.  But our own people who are custodians of the most fertile soil is not given a similar opportunity, Mr. Speaker… 

“You know our fisher folks are among the best in the region but what have we done for them, bearing in mind that this budget is ‘the best ever’ based on accolades coming from my fellow members on the other side?” Matthews said.

He said that in his very first budget debate in 2011, one of the things he addressed was the need for an agriculture census, as none has been conducted since 2000.

“Mr. Speaker, if we don’t know where we are in the industry, how do we know where we are going?” Mathews said and questions why no agricultural census has been conducted over the past two decades.

He further noted that no provision for a census exists in the 2020 budget.

“So, you see, bare talks Mr Speaker. We have to put the mechanisms in place to make agriculture a success. And one such mechanism is to carry out an agricultural census. So we know what we have and we could project for the future.

“But without that, we just, we just spinning top in mud as they say or chopping in thin air,” Matthews said.

5 replies on “MP gives minister failing grade on agriculture budget”

  1. What a lala. Patel, do your homework better. pitiful rebuttal, very superficial, you could have prepared better. I do agree with the points you make, but it doesn’t sound finished. Maybe it was due to the way this article is written. Looks as if you just going through the motions. too bad.

  2. Urban Alexander says:

    R…so you agree with the points he made but he is not prepared?. The “lala” comment is suited more for you. Agreeing with the points but he not prepared? Seems like you wanted Kenton to rewrite Patel entire speech for you to understand. Stewps!!

    1. Urban, I agree with the points Patel he is making. If you read the text well you will understand that he is defending local farmers against known usurpers. However, the nomenclature and the presentation doesn’t seem forceful to me. The Lala refers to Camillo Gonsalves the minister of finance and folks like you. You don’t seen to posses the faculty to understand what I am saying. smh.

  3. A new agriculture project is available to SVG from a company I have convinced to become established in SVG. I will head the project but will not introduce it while the ULP is in government.

    The project will equal or exceed the previous export income from bananas and will be an enormous job provider not just in growing and cultivation but In spin off linked industries.

    The project will give a new lease of life to agriculture island wide.

    1. This project will make all other agriculture in SVG look like a cottage industry, which under the ULP it is.

      The Marijuana bubble has broke in the Americas and Caribbean, everyone is doing it. It is beginning to fail like .com failed.

      The project will bring back sustainable decent income to farmers in a short time and will be an all year round cropping project.

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