Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 27, 2018 (SKNIS): At the sitting of National Assembly on March 28, Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Eugene Hamilton, recognized Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) for its most recent contributions to the Department of Marine Resources and Agriculture.
Minister Hamilton said that the ministry’s collaboration with the university has led to the importation of three (3) Bore Goats and a donation of EC$10,752.80 towards the consultation for the aquaculture project to be unfolded in the federation. He also noted that importation of the goats was as a result of the relationship with former Ross student, Ms. Kimberlee Ward, who linked the department to the farm where the goats were imported from.
“We had this challenge where our goats were taking too long to get to 30 pounds and as a result, all of the efforts of the farmers were expended producing meat of a lesser quality,” added Minister Hamilton.
He noted that with the demand for mutton growing in the federation, the arrival of the goats allows for an increase in the output and consistency of goat meat in the local market. The three (3) male one year old Bore Goats arrived on March 27 and will be kept at the Bayfords Farm.
The minister added that the famers in the federation will be able to bring their female goats to the farm to be served by the bore goats.
“We are hoping Mr. Speaker that this will then transform into a breed that results in a larger animal that comes to a dress weight of 50 pounds or more within a shorter time and give us an opportunity to be producing a better quality of meat on a more consistent basis,” he said.
Minister Hamilton also expressed his sincere thanks to RUSVM for its support of the fisheries sector for the funding of the tertiary stages of the aquaculture project, which will be both land and sea based.
“As we talk about the development of the economy, it is important that we pay attention to how we feed ourselves using resources from the sea which is the largest component of our planet. I want to thank Ross University for coming on-board with us as we embark on this initiative of developing aquaculture in this federation,” said Minister Hamilton.
