Walwyn Urges Focused Strategy for Agriculture
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn urged the government to prioritise short-term crops and practical support measures to revive agriculture, reduce food imports and create jobs. He warned that lack of direction, land access barriers and unresolved water infrastructure at Paraquita Bay are undermining efforts to boost local production.
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has outlined a focused strategy to revive agriculture in the British Virgin Islands, urging the government to prioritise quick-yield crops, streamline land access and deliver tangible support for young farmers. Speaking to lawmakers, Walwyn said the BVI must “decide what we are going to do with agriculture” and concentrate on short crops such as leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, peppers and sweet potatoes.
He argued these staples grow quickly, reduce reliance on imports and can generate local jobs fast. Walwyn criticised the current approach as lacking focus and warned that trying to do everything in agriculture dilutes limited resources. He called for targeted investment in selected areas that will produce measurable returns for both consumers and producers.
A key barrier, he said, is access to land. Walwyn pointed to Paraquita Bay as an example where many young people want to farm but face bureaucratic hurdles. “They got to go through all kinds of ring me rolls, to get a piece of land to do agriculture?” he asked, pressing for simpler, more transparent land allocation processes for aspiring farmers.
To support youth entry and retention in farming, Walwyn urged the government to move beyond promises and provide “tangible grants” that cover start-up costs. He also proposed stronger financial and policy support, including duty-free concessions on inputs such as seeds, equipment and fertilisers to lower production costs.
Market security was another pillar of his plan. Walwyn called for active government facilitation to link farmers with reliable buyers — hotels, restaurants and other large purchasers — to ensure consistent demand for locally grown produce and reduce volatility for small producers.
Walwyn highlighted longstanding infrastructure problems that continue to stymie agricultural development, notably a reliable water supply at Paraquita Bay. He said without urgent action to secure water access, efforts to expand local food production will be constrained. The remarks add to mounting criticism from the Opposition and sections of the public that the government lacks urgency on bread-and-butter issues, with food security and water now in the political spotlight.
Walwyn urged immediate, measurable steps so the BVI can strengthen local food systems, create jobs and reduce import dependence.
Primary source: BVI News