From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Agriculture Ministry Announces 2016 Agricultural Expo Set for Early March
By Gena Gibbs
Jan 21, 2016 - 11:10:22 AM
NASSAU, The Bahamas - Promoting the Bahamas Government’s plan for food security, the Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources officially launched the Bahamas National Agricultural, Marine Resources & Agribusiness Expo 2016, in the conference room at the Ministry's headquarters on East Bay Street, January 15.
Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. V. Alfred Gray, expecting participation of over 200 vendors, announced at a press conference that the Expo will take place at the Expo site on Gladstone Road, March 9-13, 2016 under the theme "Progressing Towards Food Security, Our Food, Our Future, Our Bahamas."
At the Expo, he noted, some 10 farmers will be recognized and honored for their outstanding contributions.
Minister Gray said: “You should note that previous Expos have been held over a three-day period, Thursday to Saturday. However, this year, due to increasing demand from the public, the Expo will be held for a longer period, Wednesday to Sunday.
Last year the Ministry sponsored successful Expos in New Providence and the Family Islands, “from Grand Bahama to Inagua,” and he was “very impressed by the quality of materials displayed during that time.”
Minister Gray said he is pleased to announce that at least three representatives have been invited from each Family Island to participate in this year's Expo. They will showcase produce and items of agriculture, food processing, handicraft, ornamental and culinary arts. Family Islanders are asked to contact their local government administrators’ offices for further details.
The Minister said that since 2007 these Expos have been a consistent means of showcasing the products of hard working farmers, fishermen, entrepreneurs, handicrafts persons, and food processors in the agriculture and marine sectors. The Expos also highlight the critical importance of the overall contribution producers make to the economy of the Bahamas.
He explained that "over the years, we have seen incremental increase in the participation of vendors at these Expos from 85 booths in 2007, to 150 booths in 2013. This year we anticipate that there will be in excess of 200 vendors who will participate."
Minister Gray thanked the Departments of Agriculture, Marine Resources, BAIC, BAMSI, the Department of Cooperatives and the assistance of all other Government Agencies.
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