Minister Liburd hopes project spurs development of agro-tourism industry

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 10TH 2009 (CUOPM) – A three-year project in St. Kitts and Nevis which linked tourism to agriculture has been described as successful and has shown that the merging of both industries should ensure parallel economic growth in the urban and rural sectors of the economy.

Speaking at a one-day seminar under the theme “Strengthening the Tourism Sector through the development of Linkages with the Agricultural Sector of the Caribbean,” which brought the curtains down on the trilogy project jointly funded by the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation in Agriculture (IICA), St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Cedric Liburd said the partnership demonstrates the profoundness of the old adage that unity is strength.

“The collaboration of these two giant organizations signals the attention and commitment that is required to establish and cement the link between two economic engines – tourism and agriculture,” said Minister Liburd, who hoped that following the series of meetings and consultations, a critical mass of stakeholder interest will develop to spur agro-tourism in St. Kitts and Nevis.

He said since the consultations began three years ago it has shown that sector integration is required if a micro economy is to achieve sustained development.

“Such linkages are required not only to induce internally propelled development activities, but also to generate additional employment and incomes, as well as to incur saving of foreign exchange,” said the Agriculture minister.

“This is a win-win scenario, if we can realize the full potential of impact of both sectors. By making them more sustainable and competitive, the incomes of our citizens will increase as no doubt will be the quality of their lives. A successful linking of tourism and agriculture can become an effective poverty reduction tool,” he said.

Minister Liburd pointed out that the Caribbean has evolved into a world class tourism mecca and the countries of the OECS sub-region have all embraced tourism as the major driving force for economic development, with agriculture.

“Studies have shown that the impact of agriculture in the region has declined but findings from the consultations associated with this agro-tourism awareness initiative, have shown that the economic impact of tourism is more far-reaching if it is twinned with agriculture,” said Minister Liburd.