Farmers say Gov’t Finally Taking Agriculture Seriously; Gratitude for Agro-Grant funding

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, March 16, 2022 – There were smiles all around as 20 thousand dollars letters of approval were presented to seven different farmers in a heartwarming handover ceremony on Tuesday Morning.

There was an atmosphere of not just joy, but overwhelming gratitude as the farmers spoke about what this injection of cash into their businesses would mean for them and the Agriculture Sector.

A promise delivered is how Rev Courtney Misick described the Agro-Grant.

“I have always been a voice making noise over the years saying that the government should assist farmers and her (Josephine Connolly, Minister with responsibility for Agriculture) administration is the first [to do so]. Right now in North Caicos I’ll be able to revolutionize what I’m doing because of the grant. From the depths of my heart I want to say thank you.” He said

Misick insisted that Farmers have the potential to contribute to food security and improvements in the health of residents. “We can bring down the price of food here in the Turks and Caicos if we stay consistent.

As farmers Let us take this thing seriously. People are depending on us.” He said.

One of only two female farmers who received a grant, corn and grain farmer, KacyDee Higgs expressed that she too is eternally grateful.

“Food security is paramount.” Showing of some of her oils including pumpkin she said “This is proof that these things can be grown and with the grant that we’re getting they will be able to be grown on a larger scale.”

The plan is just got bigger with Sean Penn from Sky Farms in Providenciales who hopes to build a slaughterhouse capable of putting out 500 birds an hour. Penn, during the presentation ceremony held at the Office of the Premier in Providenciales, said with the grant monies he can now accelerate construction and be complete his poultry slaughter house in 3 to 4 months.

The first of its kind, Agro-Grant was made possible in partnership between the Government, through its Department of Agriculture and Invest Turks and Caicos Agency.

Minister Josephine Connolly for her part simply said, “We want to see you do your best because I would much rather buy food from you guys than from the supermarkets so I’m depending on you to do well.”

Other farmers receiving their letter of approval, which is to be followed shortly by cheques in the amounts of $10,000 and $15,000 were Royal Robinson, Robinson Farms in North Caicos; Emmanuel Misick of Green Acre Farms in North Caicos.

Present at the handover were:  Cheryl-Ann Jones, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism; Annissa Adderley, VP of SME Development (acting) at Invest Turks and Caicos and Wilhelmina Kissoonsingh, Director of Agriculture.

Washington Misick and E Jay Saunders, Premier and Deputy Premier (respectively) also popped into the session to offer congratulations to the first Agro-Business recipients.

Ninety-eight of the grants went to North and Middle Caicos growers; these grants are the first in a series to be approved informed Minister Connolly.