That the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI, together with the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), signed a multilateral agreement (see related story) formalising collaboration with the Netherlands, Aruba and Curaçao on environmental protection and sustainable development is good news. It seems obvious that St. Maarten could use some help in this regard.
Government’s release spoke of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will significantly strengthen the Dutch side’s capacity to protect natural resources, enhance food security and fulfil international environmental commitments. VROMI Minster Patrice Gumbs called it a “significant milestone in efforts to protect St. Maarten’s natural environment while ensuring food security for our people.”
He added that with this “we are strengthening our voice in international forums and gaining access to enhanced technical expertise and resources to address the environmental challenges facing our island.”
On the crucial aspect of food security, participants will intensify cooperation between agricultural and fisheries services by reinforcing collaboration within the Dutch Caribbean Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Alliance (DCALFA). Participants will share best practices for nature-inclusive, sustainable, and innovative farming and fisheries practices and working together to develop a sustainable, circular agricultural sector.
The MoU also establishes mechanisms for aligning fisheries policy through the EEZ Committee and explores opportunities for exchange or joint procurement of agricultural and fishery products between Caribbean kingdom partners.
All this sounds nice, but what people really want to see is concrete action. For example, according to a report from Willemstad in today’s edition, CurHydro, a company founded in 2018 that specialises in hydroponic farming using advanced technology to produce vegetables locally is expanding. Now producing fresh lettuce on a 300 square metres site, they have obtained a building permit for a six-hectare property and plan to construct a 1.5-hectare greenhouse to also grow tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers.
Those are the kind of tangible results St. Maarten too is in dire need of.
