The Hon. Dion D. Smith, Executive Chairman of the Bahamas
Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) formally launched the Abaco
Agricultural Program for the Spring City and Norman’s Castle areas at a ground
breaking ceremony held on Friday, March 27th 2015 in Spring City, Abaco.
In keeping with the government’s pursuit to develop the
agricultural sector and forge ahead with decreasing our billion-dollar food import
bill, BAIC is moving throughout the Family Islands to ensure that Bahamians are
afforded the opportunity to help reduce this bill.
The Corporation has agricultural land in the Spring City and
Norman’s Castle settlements that will be available for lease to Bahamians who
are interested in farming. This includes vegetable and fruit production,
greenhouses, aquaponics, hydroponics, seafood production, livestock and poultry
farming.
Also included in this agricultural land lease program are
provisions for the food processing and handicraft sectors. It is envisaged that
more Bahamians would become involved in the value added concentrations of the
agricultural sector. For example, this means that once the tomatoes have been
grown, BAIC would then encourage processing, canning and bottling of products
such as pizza sauces, tomato sauce, ketchup, tomato paste, as well as jams and
jellies
As it relates to the handicraft sector, Bahamians can pursue
coconut farming, sisal production, and acquire land to build a facility to
develop handicraft products, jewelry making, and souvenir items.
Chairman Smith opined that BAIC is interested in developing
a new generation of agriculturalists. He is encouraging young entrepreneurs,
non-profit organizations, retired persons, and married couples to step up to
the plate and relocate to the Family Islands so that we can all partner in their
economic development. Other projects will be launched shortly in North Andros
and Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera.
The launch of the BAIC Abaco agricultural project is a part
of the Corporation’s newly created Family Island Development program. Chairman
Smith noted that he has only been appointed to BAIC for about two months and
that he is equally excited about the plans, programs and initiatives by the
various departments of the Corporation.
Persons interested in participating in BAIC's new
initiatives are requested to contact BAIC’s local offices in Abaco, Andros and
Eleuthera, and the Corporation’s Headquarters at the Soldier Road Industrial Park
in Nassau at telephone numbers 396-3725 – 9.