News
TCI Minister Announces $20,000 Grant to boost Agri-Business
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, January 28, 2022 – To modernize farming techniques, to attract younger people to the business of farming, the minister with the responsibility for farming has hatched a plan with the Invest Turks and Caicos Agency for a grant program geared at developing farming.
It will offer up to $20,000 to support the development of farms and is called an Agro Grant Incentive Program.
“Mr. Speaker, in 2018 The Department of Agriculture implemented the Agriculture Policy, a policy that is the at the heart of the stability and potential growth of the Agriculture Sector. Mr. Speaker the aim of this policy is to reverse decades of unfortunate agricultural practices and establish frameworks to facilitate further development of the industry,” said the Minister of Tourism, with responsibility for agriculture.
The announcement was made by Minister Josephine Connolly, during House of Assembly debate on a new Budget Supplementary on Thursday January 27.
The aim of the program, which is supported by the investment arm of TCIG is aimed at reversing decades of unfortunate agricultural practices and to establish the kind of framework that grows the industry.
“Therefore, Mr Speaker, the notion of having an Agro-Grant Programme is to encourage new and existing farmers who wish to invest in modern farming technology or other efficiency upgrades on their farms to resist the effects of ever-changing weather patterns; reduce labour reliance; introduce more efficient use of water; reduce cost of production; improve health and safety as well as food safety.”
There is a youth start up program, a farm improvement program and a disaster relief program under the new Grant… Connolly called Agriculture the wisest pursuit and announced a meeting for North Caicos on February 3rd, when an Agriculture Forum will be held.