Caesar warns farmers to select only the best quality bananas

Shipment of bananas to the United Kingdom has recommenced and farmers are being encouraged to ensure that best quality is selected to be shipped.{{more}}

This warning was issued by Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Ministry of Agriculture conference room.

According to Caesar, the resumption of shipment of bananas to the UK is a step in the right direction, but farmers also need to ensure that only quality bananas are exported.

“I, however, will like to emphasize the critical need and importance of ensuring that the market in the United Kingdom receives the best quality from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I’d like to impress sincerely to the farmers of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that we have to be very selective and that the extension officers will be there with you every step of the way to ensure that St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to export the best quality bananas that we can.”

He warned that if the best quality bananas are not shipped, it will reflect negatively on the profitability of WINFRESH, and pressure will also be placed on WINFARM.

“Therefore, this is an industry where every single farmer must continue to play an integral role,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister revealed that some banana farmers who had made sacrifices in keeping their farms in production have expressed relief with the commencement of shipment this week.

He further noted that shipment to the United Kingdom is expected to continue on a weekly basis, with expectations of increasing volumes, as the production of marketable fruits has increased since the application of the aerial spraying program from December last year.(AA)