Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, has emphasised that Famers and Fishers’ Week 2021 will be centred around honouring local fishers and farmers.

Honourable Wheatley said, “This year, we celebrate farmers and fishers collectively as food producers with an emphasis on public awareness and education as we reflect on the accomplishments we have made, whether large or small.”

The minister said, “This is a time for solidarity and comraderie among our food producers. This is about you – about celebrating and honouring you and we hope you will come out in numbers as a show of commitment to these industries and to each other.”

Farmers and Fishers’ Week 2021 will be observed from April 25 to May 1 under the theme “Restore, Increase, Sustain and Educate”, abbreviated as “RISE”.

Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Theodore M. James, said the theme embodies the resilience of the two sectors.

“The people of the Virgin Islands, especially our farmers and fishers, have experienced great challenges after the hurricanes of 2017,” Mr. James said. He added, “Farm structures, equipment, crops, livestock, fishing vessels, and engines were damaged or lost. For many fishers and farmers, livelihoods are still affected to this very day.”

Honourable Wheatley said, “This year, we celebrate farmers and fishers collectively as food producers with an emphasis on public awareness and education as we reflect on the accomplishments we have made, whether large or small.”

The minister said, “This is a time for solidarity and comraderie among our food producers. This is about you – about celebrating and honouring you and we hope you will come out in numbers as a show of commitment to these industries and to each other.”

Farmers and Fishers’ Week 2021 will be observed from April 25 to May 1 under the theme “Restore, Increase, Sustain and Educate”, abbreviated as “RISE”.

Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Theodore M. James, said the theme embodies the resilience of the two sectors.

“The people of the Virgin Islands, especially our farmers and fishers, have experienced great challenges after the hurricanes of 2017,” Mr. James said. He added, “Farm structures, equipment, crops, livestock, fishing vessels, and engines were damaged or lost. For many fishers and farmers, livelihoods are still affected to this very day.”

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