Bahamas News
Agriculture, ‘root of our national strength,’ says minister as he launches the 2025 Agrarian Awards
By Betty Vedrine
Bahamas information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources has officially launched the 2025 Agrarian Awards. This year’s event carries the theme, ‘Planting with Heart and Soil.’
AGRARIAN AWARDS PRESS CONFERENCE, 31st July 2025. Anthon Thompson-4
A press conference was held at the ministry’s headquarters on Thursday, 31st July. Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Jomo Campbell said that farmers throughout the country have been committed to reaching the government’s objective of achieving food security. “Across the length and breadth of the Bahamas, from our capital city to the smallest Family Island, our farmers have been innovating with purpose, producing with passion and planting not just with their hands, but with their hearts. Today, the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine resources, in partnership with the Agricultural Development Organization (ADO), proudly launches the 2025 Agrarian Awards under the theme: planting with heart and soil,” said Mr. Campbell.
The Minister said that this year’s theme is both a call to action and a celebration. He said that It is a reminder that sustainable agriculture is not only about new technology or modern equipment but also about caring for the land, providing food for people, and building self-reliant communities.
“The Agrarian Awards is our ministry’s highest platform for recognizing those who have gone above and beyond in contributing to national food community transformation,” he said. “This year’s celebration will take place on October 18th, 2025 at the majestic Atlantis Ballroom and it promises to be our biggest and most meaningful celebration yet – with over $50,000 in cash and prizes to be awarded across a wide range of categories.”
Mr. Campbell also announced the recipient of the ‘Minister’s Choice, Lifetime Achievement’ award sponsored by Royal Caribbean is Mr. Pericles Maillis. He called Mr. Maillis ‘a towering figure in Bahamian agriculture’ whose decades of service, mentorship and unwavering dedication have shaped the lives of countless farmers and helped develop the agricultural landscape of our country.
The ‘Emerald Pioneer’ award will go to Forrester Bowe for his decades’ long dedication to Bahamian agriculture. “He is 92 years old and still farming. As a respected farmer and advocate for sustainable farming practices, Mr. Bowe has played a transformative role in advancing food security and inspiring future generations of Bahamian agrarians. His unwavering commitment to excellence and growth in the industry makes him truly deserving of this award.”
Awards will also be presented in the following categories:
- Male Farmer of the Year
Minister Jomo Campbell, centre, speaking at press conference
- Female Farmer of the Year
- Youth Farmer of the Year
- School Farm of the Year
- Community Farmer of the Year
- Commercial Farm of the Year
- Agri-processor of the Year
- People’s Choice – Backyard Farmer of the Year.
All are expected to receive cash prizes.
The Minister encouraged nominations from every island, every settlement and every corner of the country’s agricultural community. “To nominate a candidate, please visit www.adobahamas.org where you will find the official nomination forms, criteria and submission instructions.”
Top Award Recipients – Forrester Bowe (left) and Pericles Maillis
He also invited the public to participate in the selection of the People’s Choice awards. “We are inviting the public to be a part of the selection process. To be a nominee, you must send a video or photo to: agrarianawards@gmail.com and our team will post your backyard farm for voting,” he said. “To vote, simply like and follow the ministry’s Facebook page. You must follow the page for your vote to count. Your engagement will help determine this year’s backyard farming champion. The deadline for all nominations is September 1st at midnight.”
He said that once the finalists are announced, tickets will go on sale. “Ladies and gentlemen, this event is more than just an awards night. It’s a tribute to resilience. It’s a celebration of innovation. It’s a moment to say, as a country, that we see our farmers, we value our Agri-leaders, and we believe that agriculture is the root of our national strength.”
He concluded by thanking the sponsors for this year’s awards and encouraged others to partner with the government to facilitate the success of the event. These sponsors include: Royal Caribbean, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), Caribbean Bottling, Super Value, ALIV, the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), Bahamasair and the Tourism Development Corporation.
PHOTO CAPTION
The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources officially launched the 2025 Agrarian Awards under the theme, ‘Planting with Heart and Soil.’ The announcement was held at the Ministry’s headquarters on East Bay Street on Thursday, 31st July. Making the announcement during the press conference was the Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Jomo Campbell. In group photo, from left: Acting Chairman/BAMSI Valentino Munroe; Tourism Development Corporation Executive Director Ian Ferguson; Agriculture Development Organization Executive Director Philip Smith; Communications Officer/Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources; Undersecretary/Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources Montez Williams; Minister Jomo Campbell; Forrester Bowe – Emerald Pioneer Award recipient; Pericles Maillis – Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
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