BASSETERRE, SAINT KITTS, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 (SKNIS) – Acting Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, underscored the vital role of agriculture in shaping the Caribbean’s identity, economic resilience, and sustainable development during the opening of the 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA 2025) at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort on Monday, September 29, 2025.
Dr. Hanley framed his remarks within the context of Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA), noting that agriculture intersects with all of its pillars—from food and water security to economic diversification and climate resilience.
“Agriculture has always been the heartbeat of our Caribbean story,” he said. “It cuts across all the pillars [of the Sustainable Island State Agenda]. Without a strong and vibrant agricultural sector, those other pillars cannot stand.”
He stressed that the future of agriculture must embrace technology, sustainability, and youth innovation—from hydroponics and aquaponics to climate-smart farming and agri-entrepreneurship.
“The agriculture of the future is creative, it is innovative, it is technologically advanced, and it can be very profitable,” Dr. Hanley said. “Across the Caribbean, we are seeing young people building agribusinesses, using social media to market their products, creating value-added goods, and even exporting to new markets. This is the kind of energy that we want to see more in Saint Kitts and Nevis and across CARICOM.”
Acting Prime Minister Hanley went on to highlight the country’s growing efforts to boost local food production, reduce reliance on imports, and meet the CARICOM 25 by 2025 plus 5 goal to cut regional food import bills by 25 percent.
“This is not a slogan. It’s a call to action,” Dr. Hanley declared. “Every farmer who plants a new crop, every fisherman who expands his catch sustainably, every entrepreneur who creates a new agricultural product is contributing to this regional goal. In Saint Kitts and Nevis, we are proud to be playing our part by increasing local production of fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish.”
The 19th edition of Caribbean Week of Agriculture continues through October 03, bringing together regional leaders, experts, and innovators to strengthen Caribbean agriculture and food systems.
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