Goat Project in Carriacou

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Details: Parent Category: Oct 2011; Category: Week ending Oct 22nd, 2011; Hits: 644

A goat-rearing project, which was launched by the Division of Agriculture in the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs in 2009, is currently reaping success.

According to a release from the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, farmers are now benefitting from the project which involved the construction of three goat pens and the introduction of hybrid goats.

The project is funded to the tune of US$40,000 from the Caribbean Agriculture Research Institute and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture.

During the 2011 World Food Day celebrations at the Hillsborough Vendors Market, two farmers - Kelvin Bubb and Peter Guadeloupe - received goats. The animals are offspring of the project at Carlyle Patrice Farm.

Senior Agriculture Officer, Benson Patrice, said his Division is happy that the goat-rearing project has come to fruition.

The Agriculture Division, he explained, is committed to ensuring that Carriacou and Petite Martinique become the “centre of excellence for small ruminants’ production.’’

Each year, the nation produces 18,000 pounds of goat meat and imports 12,000 pounds.

Meanwhile, the farming community of Carriacou and Petite Martinique has proven that the twin-isle can sustain itself as global food prices continue to rise.

Showcasing a wide variety of locally produced fruits and vegetables such as bluggo, oranges, plantain, peppers and corn, they observed World Food Day 2011 with an impressive exhibition on the grounds of the Hillsborough Vendors Market.

The hard work and dedication of farmers, fishermen and agro-processors were highly commended by Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, Sen. George Prime, along with Division of Agriculture officials.

Several farmers received awards. They included Norge Patrice, Gabriella DeRoche, Maudlyn Stewart and Septimus Jaffier.

The celebrations were extra special for farmer, Oscar Blair, who received the Food and Agriculture Organization World Food Day bronze medal.

According to Senior Agriculture Officer, Benson Patrice, Blair is deserving of the medal.

He noted that Blair has provided invaluable contribution to the agriculture sector there, not only through the planting of fruits and vegetables, but also in making available his machinery to the Agriculture Division and the entire farming community.

Adding to the success of the celebrations was live entertainment by local string band, Country Boys.