The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN farmers were yesterday urged to become more “business minded” in order to take the sector to the “next level”.

Caron Shepherd, the Farmers United Cooperative president, told Tribune Business that the first annual agricultural conclave, Bahamas Connects With Israel will inform Bahamian farmers of the agri-business concept and other relevant topics when it begins on Tuesday at the Grand Hyatt.

Bishop Andre Thomas, president of the Caribbean-Israel Leadership Coalition, will be the keynote speaker. “We are bringing speakers to speak with the farmers on improving their farming methods and on being able to think as an agri-entrepreneur,” Ms Shephard said.

“We have to think along the business side of farming. One of the issues that will be discussed is about becoming business minded and how to make agriculture profitable for the farmers. The plan for agriculture in The Bahamas has to change.

“There needs to be a significant effort by the government to contribute to local agriculture and empowering Bahamian farmers to bring about food security. Bahamian farmers can make a real dent in our $500m food import bill.”

Ms Shephard added: “We import half a billion dollars worth of food into the country. Why can’t the Government put farmers in a position to be able to put a dent in that? We have onions, tomatoes, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and others things that we can grow.

“The Government needs to assist farmers and put them on a solid footing. We are going to need to be able to take care of ourselves. There is a deficiency locally as it relates to understanding the business side of farming, as many have really not been trained that way. They have to take things to a higher level.”