The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister yesterday said the Government has approved the allocation of 30 acres at the Gladstone Road Research Centre for use as “smart farms”.

Michael Pintard, minister for agriculture and marine resources, explained: “The Cabinet of The Bahamas under the Prime Minister's leadership has approved 30 acres at the Gladstone Research Centre, so that we can put together a cluster of smart farms that are data driven, and where we have farmers who are focused on producing based on the demand in the market, rather than what they are accustomed to producing or have been exceptional at producing.”

He said this will enable the Government to “keep in step” with modern farming techniques and the demand for fresh produce among both Bahamians and tourists.

Speaking at the same event, the Prime Minister, said: “The ongoing diversification of our economy will demand a dynamic expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises in an array of industries.

"We must diversify within tourism with greater or sustainable linkages and synergies to other sectors. We must also have a broad-scale diversification mirrored in other industries. One such industry is agriculture.

“We all know valuable public access to fresh, high quality food, especially if it is organic case with dispatch, is critical. As we continue to address health and wellness behaviours, the challenge of obesity, the high prevalence of non -ommunicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, access to health is a primary weapon in addressing this extraordinary challenge.”

The Bahamas imports over $1bn worth of food per annum, which is something the Minnis administration has vowed to bite into via homegrown substitution. “It's $650m in terms of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers as well as proteins, and some $400m in terms of value-added products,” added Mr Pintard.

Dr Minnis confirmed that the Government is mandating that all Heads of Agreements must require foreign investors to buy 40 percent of their produce locally. He said: “We have already agreed at Cabinet level to put in place in every Heads of Agreement that 40 percent of all foods within the hotels must be made in The Bahamas.”