For Immediate Release
Bahamas Information Services

Greenhouse for Mayaguana school

April 7, 2010

In a move to encourage food production in Mayaguana, Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) is donating a greenhouse and $500 in seed money to the high school there. BAIC executive chairman Edison M Key also promised assistance to Mayaguanians interested in livestock rearing and poultry farming. Mr Key and a team were in Mayaguana over the weekend to participate in a town meeting to discuss business opportunities for that southeastern island.

They also celebrated the graduation of 23 Mayaguanians who took the BAIC course in coconut and straw craft production. Denise Storr was the trainer. Mr Key was accompanied by assistant general managers Arnold Dorsett (agriculture) and Donnalee Bowe (handicraft). They were welcomed by administrator Harvey Roberts, chief councilor Earnell Brown, and local officials. “I am ready to start now if you people are serious,” said Mr Key, the Member of Parliament for South Abaco. He is a former large-scale farmer.

He encouraged the formation of a farmers association and pledged $20,000 to assist them in getting organized.“Successive governments have paid little or not attention to food security,” he said. “I was told it costs Mayaguanians almost $100 for a case of tomatoes and on top of that you have to pay $35 in freight charges. “We spend some $500 million each year importing food when much of that food can be produced right here at home. A nation that cannot feed itself is in trouble.

“Imagine what it would do for the agriculture industry if just a third of that was spent in support of Bahamian farmers and producers. We should be exporting food. It has been done before.” He updated them on the work BAIC has been doing promoting agriculture in Abaco, Andros, New Providence, Eleuthera and Exuma. “We have elevated people’s thinking towards agriculture,” he said. “Farming is no longer looked upon as a dirty job.

“If you get hotels in here it is going to be a lucrative business to produce for the tourists who will be coming in.” Mayaguana High School principal Prince Moss said BAIC’s greenhouse donation is “great news.”“I have always been excited about agriculture and now the dream is beginning to come true in Mayaguana,” he said. He intends to tap into the successful agricultural programs of other high schools.

“I can get ideas from them and adapt them to the unique culture in Mayaguana to get the job done,” he said. He embraced the Government’s thrust in food security and recognized the role BAIC is playing. “Mr Key reinforced the idea that we are spending millions of dollars just to help to feed ourselves,” noted Mr Moss. “That definitely cannot continue. The money needs to remain here in the country to make the Bahamas a better place.

“I see Mayaguana playing a great role in that regard because we have so much land here and there are so many persons who are unemployed. “So here is an opportunity for them to earn an honest living while at the same time making the Bahamas better.” Administrator Roberts said the BAIC visit has already inspired Mayaguanians to seriously consider their role in food security. “Once we are committed and keep it going, I think we can make it work,” he said.