MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE TO DISTRIBUTE OVER 100 WATER TANKS TO FARMERS, BOOSTING AGRICULTURAL RESILIENCE IN ST. KITTS

(MOA Basseterre, St. Kitts, 20 June 2024):

In a move aimed at bolstering agricultural resilience and water management across St. Kitts, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources is gearing up to distribute over one hundred 1000-gallon water tanks to local farmers.

The water storage tanks were procured under the Ministry’s Drought Resistance and Irrigation Project (DRIP) initiative which was launched in October 2023 as a key component of the Ministry’s 25 by 25 Agenda strategy. Recognizing the water-related risks associated with climate change, the DRIP focuses on providing farmers with essential water resilience supplies tailored to their specific needs. The water resilience package includes items such as ground cover (plastic mulch), driplines, shut-off valves and water storage tanks.

Each corrosion-resistant water tank has a capacity of 3785 litres, is ideal for rainwater harvesting and represents a critical resource for mitigating water scarcity issues during dry spells on the island, ensuring sustainable crop production throughout the year.

This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector and marks a proactive step towards achieving the goals of the 25 by 25 Agenda, which aims to increase local food production and reduce the food import bill by 25% by the year 2025.

Distribution of the tanks is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks, with priority given to farmers in areas most vulnerable to water shortages. Farmers are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Agriculture at 467-1016 or visit the office at Building #16 Port Zante St. Kitts for detailed information on eligibility criteria and distribution schedules.

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