The need to diversify the economy was in the news again earlier this week when Finance Minister Richards Gibson told Parliament the country must find another economic pillar, because the
current path is not sustainable. He suggested hydroponics and fisheries.
It would indeed be nice if investments in these areas could be made, but whether Government can or ought to do so is a whole other question. Certainly some type of incentives might be considered as is being done in Aruba, where fishermen, farmers and livestock breeders soon will have to pay neither import duties on their working materials nor income and profit tax for those activities.
Most people tend to believe farming involves large projects using big machines and the like, but that’s not always the case. A lot is also possible on a smaller scale.
That’s why the panel discussion on reviving agriculture in St. Maarten announced by Workers Institute for Organised Labour (WIFOL) and Freedom Fighters’ Ital Shack for June 30 (see Friday paper) is important. It’s high time to establish some kind of plan of action for the primary sector.
Several tourism destinations in the immediate vicinity have found growing food for the local population as well as visitors a rewarding way to complement their hospitality industry. People are increasingly aware of the benefits of fresh local produce, so its availability in supermarkets and restaurants is now becoming more of a plus.
Those who may believe they lack a huge piece of land and major equipment needed to be successful should think again. With today’s technology much can be done with very limited space and few resources, in small gardens or even using planters on patios, terraces and balconies, etc.
The main ingredient required is really a change of mentality to make better use of what nature provides, given a little help. It’s chiefly a matter of the community setting new priorities.
