Farmers and Fishers Training Series
The Premier’s Office will run a territory-wide series of one-day training events for farmers and fishers from 27–30 October 2025, covering farm and maritime safety, occupational health, risk management and sustainable financial practices. The sessions aim to boost capacity, safety and sustainability across Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.
The Government of the Virgin Islands is launching a territory-wide learning and development programme for farmers and fishers from 27–30 October 2025, the Premier’s Office announced in a government press release. One-day sessions will be held across Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke to provide practical training in modern farm safety, occupational health, maritime safety, risk management and sustainable financial management.
Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe said the initiative “underscores the Government’s commitment to strengthening the agriculture and fisheries sectors in the Virgin Islands.” She added the sessions are designed to “equip farmers and fishers with practical tools and strategies to improve workplace safety, manage operational risks, and strengthen compliance with industry standards.” Organisers say the hands-on training will be relevant to small-scale farmers, commercial growers, nearshore fishers and crew members who support the Territory’s food supply and local livelihoods.
For many communities across the BVI, agriculture and fisheries are essential to food security, household income and the tourism supply chain — making improvements in safety, resilience and financial planning particularly important as the Territory prepares for future storms and market challenges.
Training topics will include safe handling and storage of agricultural inputs, occupational health best practices, safe vessel operations and emergency procedures, basic risk-assessment techniques, and sustainable approaches to managing income, expenses and access to financing. The sessions are intended to be practical and locally focused so participants can apply new methods immediately on farms and boats.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, a division of the Premier’s Office mandated to promote and regulate the sectors, is coordinating the programme. Farmers and fishers interested in attending or seeking more information are asked to contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries at +1 284 468 6123 or the Premier’s Office at +1 284 468 2152.
The training series follows consultations held earlier in the month and forms part of broader government efforts to build safer, more resilient and sustainable agricultural and fisheries industries in the Virgin Islands. For media queries, the Premier’s Office information officer listed Angela U Burns as a contact in the original announcement.
Primary source: BVI Government