TCI Agriculture welcomes Public-Private Partnerships As The Country Ramps Up Food Security Efforts

#TurksandCaicos, October 8, 2021 – TCI Department of Agriculture welcomes investors to partner with the Government in order to achieve the country’s food security.  The Turks & Caicos Islands Government has already put in place plans and programs to empower farmers to boost yields and offer tremendous opportunities to investors.

Speaking during a virtually held Caribbean AgTech Investment Summit, hosted by the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) on Tuesday, October 5, Dr Shelley Bridgewater, TCI Agriculture Director, disclosed the current developments undertaken on the government firm in North Caicos and various efforts underway to ensure a food secure Turks & Caicos Islands.

North Caicos offers huge untapped potential relating to the vast tracks of arable land and the ocean. Known as the “green island”, North Caicos has richer soils suitable for growing a wide range of crops, including fast-moving fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, papayas, bananas, and herbs that are increasingly used countrywide.

The corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, pigeon peas, lettuce, papayas, plantains, bananas, okra, and beans produced at the government firm also boost the food supplies available for the country’s population; but only slightly.  In addition, the ocean offers great potential for the aquaculture sub-sector and can supply hotels and restaurants as they look to serve the growing number of tourists visiting the Islands.

Speaking during Tuesday’s conference, Dr Bridgewater disclosed the government has 140 acres of arable land in North Caicos, but only eight acres are currently in use. The farm presently has animal pens, solar panels, infrastructure, and offices. She also revealed plans for the construction of a national nursery and greenhouse. “So, over time, the intent is to do more land clearing and develop most of the unused areas of this property,” she added.

Being a research, training and development centre for information disseminating to farmers, Director Bridgewater said the farm had conducted research about tomatoes production using revolutionary irrigation technology to help boost the yield.

“With the use of this experiment, farmers will be able to utilize appropriate irrigation technology and ultimately result in the improved yield of the tomato crops,” she added.

When it comes to aquaculture, the TCI’s Queen Conch has already proven its worth in the American market, making TCI Conch Farming popular before its collapse due to the hurricanes of 2017.

The Conch Farm came to shut down following the damage meted on it by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, leaving the country with no other aquaculture farm.

But, the Director said efforts to revive the farm are underway. Considering the skyrocketing prices for fin and shellfish, there’s a tremendous potential for establishing aquaculture farming in the country.

Dr Bridgewater explained  that the Invest Turks and Caicos Agency is poised to assist anyone interested – whether domestically or internationally – to further the food security mission of government.

There exists opportunities for private investors desirous of partnering with the government to produce more food to meet the country’s needs. She also invited private partners to take advantage of government incentives and great support systems.

TCI Department of Agriculture