WOMEN PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE WITHIN THE FEDERATION

Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 10, 2021 (SKNIS): Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources, Honourable Alexis Jeffers, said that within St. Kitts and Nevis, women continue to be at the forefront of the Federation’s national growth and development as they have excelled in many areas of society.

“Such areas [include] women in parliament, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, agriculture, wherever, or whatever sector it is, women have continued to blaze the trail and continue to show that they are just as equal as men,” said Minister Jeffers during an awards ceremony held on March 08 to honour ten women for their outstanding contribution to the development of agriculture and its subsidiaries within the Federation.

He appealed to the men to recognize women and their contribution to national development.

“I would hope that we [men] have gotten the maturity over the years to recognize women and their contribution to our nation’s development, recognize them for what they are and what they bring to the table. Women are more patient than men when it comes to agriculture; women are nurturers; women are professionals in what they do,” he stated.

Minister Jeffers added that going forward the ministry will place increased focus on women in agriculture because women have the necessary attributes that are important for the success of the industry.

Tricia King and Dr. Tracey Challenger were honoured for technical and administrative support in Marine Resources and Agriculture (Livestock Division) respectively. The other honourees were Francella Stephens – Fisheries; Yvette Huggins – Meat Trader; Joan Napier – Horticulture; Agnes Crossley – Market Vending; Denise Gillard – Crop Farming; Arabella Nisbett – Agroprocessing; and Annette France – Livestock. Fahies Agriculture Women’s Cooperative was honoured in the Women’s group in Agriculture category. -30-