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
Dredging Is Not Just About Size — It Is About What Is Being Destroyed, Warns Save Exuma Alliance Regarding Yntegra’s Proposed Rosewood Resort
Save Exuma Alliance (SEA) — a coalition of Central Exuma business owners, tour operators and residents — has warned that the issue of dredging in the North Bay of Sampson Cay, Exuma, is not just about the number of acres being dredged – but what exists within the proposed dredge area. SEA describes the site as an ecological treasure trove filled with seagrass, coral, turtles and abundant marine life.
This comes after foreign developer Yntegra agreed to reduce the scope of its dredging following government warnings that it would impact
The Bahamas carbon credit status, which shows the importance of the marine habitat.
“It is easy to point to other developments and say they are dredging more, but that is not comparing like with like,” SEA said in response to comparisons made by Yntegra. “If one area is largely sand with little marine life, that is very different from what we have in North Bay. Anyone who has spent time there can tell you it is filled with turtles, fish, and — critically — the seagrass and coral that provide essential habitat.”
Miami-based investment group Yntegra is seeking to construct a large-scale Rosewood-branded resort on Sampson Cay. Since its announcement, the project has generated environmental, social and economic concerns among residents and business operators in Central Exuma.
The proposed development includes dredging in North Bay, construction of a substantial seawall that would alter natural water flow, more than 100 structures, two mega yacht marinas, and an industrial dock serviced by fuel and supply ships in an area currently used by swimmers. Opponents argue that the scale and design of Yntegra’s Rosewood Exuma project are incompatible with the fragile ecosystem and cultural character of the Central Exumas.
SEA noted that the government’s Climate Change Unit has also raised concerns about the environmental cost of dredging associated with Yntegra’s Rosewood Exuma project.
“The government has acknowledged that this is an area of significant importance,” SEA said. “While the financial implications are serious, for us here in Exuma this is about more than money. It underscores how valuable this marine ecosystem is — the seagrass, coral and marine life that make Exuma exceptional. This is what attracts visitors from around the world. We should not minimize the concern by comparing this bay to areas that do not have the same remarkable underwater ecosystem. It is simply not the same.”
Experienced boat captain Tito Baldwin also questioned the feasibility of the marine infrastructure proposed as part of this plan. He warned
that the dredging currently outlined would not be sufficient to accommodate the vessels required to service the project.
“It’s going to have to be at least four times larger than what has been proposed,” Baldwin said. “As designed, it is beyond possibility.”
He explained that vessels supplying fuel, construction materials and provisions for a projected 300-person workforce would require significantly greater depth and maneuvering space.
“For supply vessels delivering hundreds of thousands of gallons of diesel, you’re looking at ships with a 10-foot draft,” Baldwin said. “To operate safely, you would need at least 13 feet of depth. That means dredging far deeper than what has been proposed. With currents running east and west in that area, you would also need a much wider turning basin to maneuver safely. As it stands, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.”
SEA is urging individuals concerned about the environmental impact of dredging connected to Yntegra’s Rosewood Exuma project to visit www.saveexumaalliance.org for more information. A petition calling for a halt to approvals is also available on the site, with more than 7,100 signatures collected to date.
PM: Project delivers on promise and invests in youth, sports and national development
GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — Calling it the fulfillment of a major commitment to the island, Prime Minister Philip Davis led the official groundbreaking for the Grand Bahama Aquatic Centre, a facility the government says will transform sports development and create new opportunities for young athletes.
Speaking at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex on February 12, the Prime Minister said the project represents more than bricks and mortar
— it is an investment in people, national pride and long-term economic activity. The planned complex will feature a modern 50-metre competition pool, designed to meet international standards for training and regional and global swim meets. Davis said the facility will give Bahamian swimmers a home capable of producing world-class performance while also providing a space for community recreation, learn-to-swim programmes and water safety training.
He noted that Grand Bahama has long produced outstanding athletes despite limited infrastructure and said the new centre is intended to correct that imbalance, positioning the island as a hub for aquatic sports and sports tourism.
The Prime Minister also linked the development to the broader national recovery and revitalisation of Grand Bahama, describing the project as part of a strategy to expand opportunities for young people, create jobs during construction and stimulate activity for small businesses once operational.
The Aquatic Centre, he said, stands as proof that promises made to Grand Bahama are being delivered.
The project is expected to support athlete development, attract competitions, and provide a safe, modern environment for residents to access swimming and water-based programmes for generations to come.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
The Bahamas, February 15, 2026 – For the better part of three years, Bahamians have been told that major Afreximbank financing would help transform access to capital, rebuild infrastructure and unlock economic growth across the islands. The headline figures are large. The signing ceremonies are high profile. The language is ambitious. What remains far harder to see is the measurable impact in the daily lives of the people those announcements are meant to serve.
The Government’s push to secure up to $100 million from Afreximbank for roughly 200 miles of Family Island roads dates back to 2025. In
its February 11 disclosure, the bank outlined a receivables-discounting facility — a structure that allows a contractor to be paid early once work is completed, certified and invoiced, with the Government settling the bill later. It is not cash placed into the economy upfront. It does not, by itself, build a single mile of road. Every dollar depends on work first being delivered and approved.
The wider framework has been described as support for “climate-resilient and trade-enhancing infrastructure,” a phrase that, in practical terms, should mean projects that lower the cost of doing business, move people and goods faster, and keep the economy functioning. But for communities, that promise becomes real only when the projects are named, the standards are defined and a clear timeline is given for when work will begin — and when it will be finished.
Bahamians have seen this moment before.
In 2023, a $30 million Afreximbank facility for the Bahamas Development Bank was hailed as a breakthrough that would expand access to financing for local enterprise. It worked in one immediate and measurable way: it encouraged businesses to apply. Established, revenue-generating Bahamian companies responded to the call, prepared plans, and entered a process they believed had been capitalised to support growth. The unanswered question is how much of that capital has reached the private sector in a form that allowed those businesses to expand, hire and generate new economic activity.
Because development is not measured in the size of announcements.
It is measured in loans disbursed, projects completed and businesses expanded.
The pattern is becoming difficult to ignore. In June 2024, when Afreximbank held its inaugural Caribbean Annual Meetings in Nassau,
Grand Bahama was presented as the future home of an Afro-Caribbean marketplace said to carry tens of millions of dollars in investment. What was confirmed at that stage was a $1.86 million project-preparation facility — funding for studies and planning to make the development bankable, not construction financing. The larger build-out remains dependent on additional approvals, land acquisition and further capital.
This distinction — between financing announced and financing that produces visible, measurable outcomes — is now at the centre of the national conversation.
Because while the numbers grow larger on paper, entrepreneurs still describe access to capital as out of reach, and communities across the Family Islands are still waiting to see where the work will start.
And in an economy where stalled growth translates into lost opportunity, rising frustration and real social consequences, the gap between promise and delivery is no longer a communications issue.
It is an inability to convert announcements into outcomes.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
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