Historic presentation, TCI Farmers receive Cash Grant, Hurricane Relief

#TurksandCaicos, February 6, 2023 – At an intimate ceremony held at the Kew Town Farmers Market, Hon Josephine Connolly minister with responsibility for Agriculture distributed Disaster Relief Grants to fifteen (15) registered farmers who suffered losses on their farms due to the passage of hurricane Fiona in September last year.

The Honorable Connolly stated “For the very first time in Turks and Caicos Islands, farmers are getting relief for hurricane damage” she further went on to say that it is government’s priority to provide an enabling environment, to facilitate local investment within the Agriculture Sector as outlined in the People’s Plan for Empowerment”.

The Honorable Minister went on to say that “In February last year (2022) my government launched the Agriculture Finance Support Programme (Agro-Grant Incentive).  This Finance Support Program for farmers is the first program of this kind in the Turks and Caicos Islands and shows Government’s mandate is to invest heavily in local food production through providing financial support. My government has allocated US$250,000.00 in this first year to promote agriculture development”

To date twelve (12) farmers have received grants amounting to a total of $230,000 Which they used to upgrade their farms and for new “startup” farms. The Director of Agriculture- Wilhelmina Kissoonsingh stated that “farming is expensive business, cost of farm inputs is high and years of work and establishing a farm can be destroyed in a few minutes by a natural disaster”.  The Director thanked her staff, Extension Officer Mario Smith and Farm Manager-Hopeton Panton for their work in assessing damages to farms after the passage of the hurricane and went on to say that “the Department will continue its efforts to develop a comprehensive Agriculture Incentive Program to assist farmers in developing their farms.  She also urged person to support local farmers by patronizing the Kew Town Farmers Market

Farmers expressed their heartfelt thanks for the grant relief. Ms. Ruth Missick daughter of stalwart farmer Mr. Manny Missick thanked the government for the grant and said that farmers would be looking forward to even more support in the future.

Farmer Courtney Missick also expressed gratitude, he indicated he received both the Farm Upgrade Grant and now the Disaster Relief grant.  He explained that the monies were put to good use and was essential in him expanding his farm to a new location.  He said he had “great things coming” in the near future to include Agro Tourism as part of his Farm Business.