Government to Finalise Farmers' Water Policy
The government says a new water policy for farmers will be completed soon as it advances plans for reservoirs at the Paraquita Bay Agricultural Station. Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said the Recovery and Development Agency is overseeing the reservoir project, which aims to provide a more reliable supply for irrigation and livestock.
The Government of the Virgin Islands is preparing a formal water policy to clarify the types of assistance and subsidies available to farmers as it moves forward with plans to improve water storage at the Paraquita Bay Agricultural Station. Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley told reporters the Ministry of the Premier’s Office is drafting the policy “very soon” in response to ongoing water challenges facing the agriculture sector.
He said the policy will lay out support measures for farmers while longer-term infrastructure is developed. Dr Wheatley also provided an update on planned reservoirs at Paraquita Bay, confirming the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) is managing the project. He said the RDA is advancing the process and the government hopes the reservoir work will be completed sometime next year, which would provide a more permanent water source for irrigation and livestock.
The government has pursued a permanent water supply for Paraquita Bay for several years. In May 2025 the RDA signed a $224,639.60 contract with Alvair Limited for engineering design and construction management of the Farmers’ Reservoir, including design and oversight of water mains and related works intended to support farm irrigation and animal needs.
Local farmers have long reported unreliable water supplies, forced crop losses and additional expense when purchasing water. The issue has prompted immediate and short-term measures: in March, five Paraquita Bay farmers received 1,000-gallon water tanks through an Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States-supported programme aimed at improving rainwater harvesting and reserves for livestock.
While the reservoir project advances, Dr Wheatley said the government will continue to provide interim assistance and is investing across the territory in pipes, reservoirs and distribution lines. He described water as a critical national priority and said the new policy will help clarify eligibility and the nature of subsidies and support for the farming community.
For residents, reliable agricultural water supplies matter for local food production, farm incomes and the resilience of the sector against drought. Officials say clear policy and completed infrastructure at Paraquita Bay should reduce dependence on ad hoc deliveries and private purchases and help stabilise farming operations across the BVI.
Primary source: BVI News