The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN farmer yesterday backed the Government’s temporary restriction on imports of sweet and bell peppers and tomatoes, saying: “That’s a make or break situation right now.”

Christopher Pinder, one of the owners of Abaco-based 5 Star Farms, a major local producer of tomatoes and peppers, said it is currently cultivating 200 acres out of an available 450, with the ability to provide “right now” 4,000 cases of tomatoes and 2,800 cases of peppers. “If the Government provides proper protection we would be able to provide more stuff,” he said. “This is the first time any government ever took it this far and we applaud them for it.

“We’re still going to probably have to dump about 1,500 hundred cases this week. We’re hoping that after next week everyone conforms. That’s a make or break situation right now.”

Five Star Farms currently employs 70-80 persons, and has been producing vegetables for the past four years. It has also been producing sod for the past nine.

Mr Pinder added: “Locals will buy; everyone is happy with the product. It’s just the big retailers who don’t want to buy. For some reason they don’t want to buy from us.” Tribune Business understands that a meeting on the matter between Customs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources and local retailers/importers is set for Thursday.

Rupert Roberts, Super Value’s owner, also vouched for the quality of the farm’s produce. He said: “Five Star Farms in Abaco is producing an abundant supply and excellent quality of tomatoes and green peppers. It’s very good quality at a competitive price. We’re more than happy to support that and keep our money at home.”

Sidney Sinclair, owner of the Down To Earth Adventure Farm, said of the Government’s decision: “I think it’s a good thing. I’m growing quite a bit of tomatoes now and peppers. I think that this allows farmers an opportunity to really grow. I know they can do it. It’s a good start, and hopefully it can eventually move to other things like kale, for instance, which we have been growing for years.”