Farmers’ help needed in Operation Plant Back

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture are calling on farmers to join in efforts to make ‘Operation Plant back’ a success.{{more}}

The operation commenced on Monday, June 4 at banana farms at Byera and Orange Hill on the Windward side of the country.

Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture, stated that so far, the ministry has been able to supply 15,000 tissue culture plants, which is nowhere close to the 159,000 banana plants which are needed.

Chief Agricultural Officer Reuben Robertson stated that ‘Operation Plant back’, in phase one, will see a total of 230 acres of bananas being replanted. The project, he added, will continue through to 2013.

Caesar stated that the main initiative of ‘Operation Cutback’ was to reduce the abandoned banana fields in St Vincent and the Grenadines. He also thanked persons within the Ministry of Agriculture, WINFA and Fairtrade and the farmers who made Operation Cutback a success.

“There is a time for cutting back the bananas; now it’s the time for us to replant the bananas. I have been advised by the technical persons in the ministry that they have cutback over 400 acres of bananas and I must say my target is very high. We would have cut back 400, but I want us to plant back 800,” Caesar said.

Caesar added that they are searching for new areas to place banana plants, and where they can reintroduce banana. He added that the operation plant back will not be rushed, as the ministry has to ensure that the requisite systems are in place for the project to be successful.

Robertson added that the banana industry is not just the business of the ministry, but everyone involved in the industry. He further urged the farmers to cooperate with the ministry in their efforts.

Caesar also encouraged current banana farmers and prospective banana farmers to continue to support the vital industry. Referring to agriculture as the ‘lifeblood’ of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Caesar also observed that the people of the rural community are dependent on agriculture and the banana industry.

He also stated that as ‘Operation Plant back’ continues, there will be significant positives in terms of employment, especially of young persons.

Philemon Allen of the Fairtrade Organization, who was also present at the farm at Orange Hill, encouraged the farmers involved in ‘Operation Plant back’ to follow protocols.

“I know there are some very stubborn farmers, but I want you to understand that this is for all of us, for you and for me and the country,” he said.

Banana plants were planted on Philemon Rodney’s farm at Byera and at Lauren Rawlings’ farm at Orange Hill.(OS)