Government Meets Farmers and Fishers to Chart
Government leaders, producers and industry stakeholders met on Friday, October 3, 2025, for a one-day planning session hosted by the Premier’s Office to shape the future of agriculture and fisheries across the Virgin Islands. Officials outlined plans that range from new legislation and an Agriculture and Fisheries Management Unit to a proposed farming and fishing complex, while stressing private-sector investment, marketing and sustainable financing as keys to growth. The meeting produced a clearer shared vision and a commitment to further stakeholder engagement, draft legislation and concrete timelines for infrastructure and training programmes.
Government leaders, producers and industry stakeholders gathered on Friday, October 3, 2025, for a one-day planning session hosted by the Premier’s Office to chart the future of agriculture and fisheries across the Virgin Islands. The meeting brought together farmers and fishers, officials from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and senior Premier’s Office staff — including Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, Permanent Secretary Mrs Carolyn E.
Stoutt‑Igwe, Deputy Secretary Dr Lavon Chalwell‑Brewley and Department Director Mr Theodore E. James (names and attendance details reported by VINO and BVI News). The session was framed around two central goals: strengthening food security and supporting economic diversification. In opening remarks, Permanent Secretary Stoutt‑Igwe stressed that agriculture and fisheries “are not just subjects under the Premier’s portfolio, but vital sectors for our territory’s sustainability,” noting the direct connection between what residents eat and public health (BVI News).
Organisers also discussed the impending Food Security and Sustainability Act and the Premier’s Office announcement of a new Agriculture and Fisheries Management Unit to improve engagement between government and industry (BVI News). Premier Wheatley outlined the economic potential of both sectors and emphasised direct private‑sector investment as a way to stimulate growth and innovation, according to VINO.
He also highlighted the importance of effective marketing strategies to better connect local products with consumers and the need for sustainable financing mechanisms to ensure continuity and growth for future generations. The Premier described plans for a new farming and fishing complex intended to modernise operations and increase local food output, while underscoring responsible resource management to safeguard long‑term productivity (VINO/BVI News).
Deputy Secretary Dr Lavon Chalwell‑Brewley urged attendees to shape policy with their practical experience, telling farmers and fishers, “Farmers and fishers are the heart of our food system. You live the reality of farming and fishing every day, and your ideas will shape the future of these sectors.
Without your voice, the vision would not reflect reality,” a direct quote reported by VINO. She said the session provided an opportunity for participants to share insights and now have a clearer understanding of the shared vision for the territory. Discussion topics included legislative and policy development, workforce training and learning opportunities, the expansion and promotion of school gardens, and calendar events such as World Food Day 2025 and Agriculture and Fisheries Month 2026.
Officials reviewed capital projects and confirmed progress on the designation of agricultural lands in Anegada, a move seen as crucial for boosting local production on the out‑islands (BVI News/VINO). The meeting concluded with a commitment to reconvene for further consultations so a shared, realistic vision can be finalised.
Next steps will include detailed stakeholder engagement, drafting legislation aligned with the Food Security and Sustainability Act, and setting concrete timelines for proposed infrastructure and training programmes aimed at reducing import reliance, creating new livelihoods and building resilience against storms and global supply shocks (BVI News).
VINO’s coverage adds emphasis on the role of private investment, marketing and sustainable financing as priorities to turn the shared vision into lasting results.
Primary source: BVI News