According to a Government Press Release, Cabinet has approved the establishment of a Management Committee for the Paraquita Bay agricultural lands, which are the largest single area of Crown lands used for agriculture in the Territory.
Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, said that the committee will support the farming community at Paraquita Bay in the production of high-quality food through sustainable commercial agriculture.
Honourable Wheatley said: “We envision that the estate will not only serve as a mecca for agricultural production, but our farmers will make strong linkages with our education and tourism sectors. It is our aim that Paraquita Bay will be the model for the orderly and efficient use of Crown lands for agriculture in the Territory,”
The Committee is chaired by Dr. Harlan Vanterpool who said he firmly believes that food security is critical to BVI national security.
The other members are Ms. Kisha Frett, Mr. Alton Vanterpool, Mr. Oren Hodge, Mr. Kenrick Headley, Ms. Jeanelle Hodge, who will be serving as secretary. Ex officio members are: Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Mr. Norval Young, representing the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration and the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Theodore James.
The Government says that the committee will be responsible for recommending level and types of agricultural production; reviewing existing allocation of lands, recommending efficient use of lands for greater levels of production; recommending policy to govern the lands; reviewing applications for use of the lands; as well as recommending educational and agricultural programmes.
The Paraquita Bay Settlement Project was established by an Executive Council decision in 1992, as part of a policy decision in 1988 to revive agriculture.