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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 Andros Island, The Bahamas - Remarks by Hon.
Philip E. “Brave” Davis, Q.C., M.P. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of
Public Works & Urban Development on the Occasion of the Fourth
Annual Andros Business Outlook on Thursday, 23rd July 2015, 10:00 a.m.
Daniel’s Resort Nichol’s Town, North Andros:
Salutations:
Good Morning...
I bring apologies on behalf of our Prime Minister, who was scheduled to speak to you this morning. I am certain that you understand the urgency of matters that he is dealing with that are critical to our national development. In his stead, I bring these remarks.
Andros Island is often referred to as “The Sleeping Giant” of The Bahamas. Andros has a landmass that rivals that of some of the larger countries in our region. The major segments of Andros – the North, Central, Mangrove Cay and the South are each important and unique economies that should be valued for their uniqueness.
The magnificence of Andros always amazes me – from the skill of your fishermen, your spongers, your bone fish guides, and basketweavers to the tall pine forests and blue holes and the islands cuisine based on crabs, fish, fruits and the coconut. We know that this is truly a special island and it is critical to our national development.
In this term in office, we look to awaken our sleeping giant. Indeed, we know that we can cause real economic development to happen in Andros. We are, however, seeking a new type of economic development which has people and the environment at its centre. Indeed, our vision and wish for Andros is to have true, meaningful, sustainable development which is organic to the island and generated and embraced by Androsians and all Bahamians.
Andros Ecosystem Services-Based Master Plan
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are extremely excited to advise that work has commenced on the Sustainable Development Plan for Andros, a project which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and led by The Office of the Prime Minister and supported by The Natural Capital Group, a researcher from the College of The Bahamas and a local consulting firm. This project will serve as a pilot project for all other development Master Plans throughout The Bahamas. This project augments the work which is ongoing for the National Development Plan.
The Andros project involves a $600,000 grant to The Bahamas to carry out 4 major activities:
1. The measurement of the economic value of Andros’ ecosystem services, inclusive of its coastal and marine ecosystems, pine forests, mangroves, seagrass beds and tidal creeks – all of the natural areas that Androsians use to make a life for themselves;
2. The development of realistic development scenarios in consultation with Androsians, taking into consideration the well-being of the residents of this island and the entire Bahamas.
3. An assessment of the various alternative development scenarios for Andros; and
4. The development of a proposal for a viable physical development plan that optimizes the economic value of Andros’ natural capital.
A team from the Office of the Prime Minister, the IDB and Natural Capital (our technical advisors) began its tour of Andros and held several town meetings this week. The team visited North Andros, including the BAMSI facility, Mangrove Cay and South Andros. The team will visit Central Andros towards the end of the month.
The staff of the Office of the Prime Minister has reported the preliminary outcome of the meetings. Throughout the communities, there was a feeling of concern that development had not been happening around Andros. It was noted that Androsians in the South felt cut off from the development in the North due to a lack of affordable water transportation. These are important market opportunities for astute business persons.
We received information about the need to boost business development support in Andros by ensuring that businesses’ interaction with government was as effective and efficient as possible. We must look at these issues closely and as part of a development plan devise the strategy to ensure that the business environment is better, not just for Nassau, but for our family islands also. An issue that was particularly pertinent to Andros was the crown land grant system as so much of Andros’ land resources is owned by the State. Therefore, we must examine how to make the process smoother and more transparent.
Businesses also expressed concern about the lack of funding for their ventures and the effects on their businesses from poor infrastructure, inclusive of reliable running water. The community sought assistance with the organisation of viable cooperatives and societies so that Androsians can more effectively pool their resources to engage in bigger enterprises.
The community also recognized that there must be more value added to the products being generated from Andros so that a better livelihood could be gained from the natural resources of the island. This was true of the spongermen, the fishermen and those who worked with the agriculture products.
Indeed, much of the value of these products that were sourced in Andros ended up outside of Andros. Therefore, with more effective training and apprenticeship programmes, we are confident that we can improve the value chain of Andros’ production.
The communities of Andros expressed concern over the enforcement of zoning and quarrying on the island. The environmental impacts of beach erosion were also demonstrated to our team.
Finally, the community spoke of the tremendous social challenges from unemployment and underemployment and the departure of the young people from the islands as they seek a better way of life and employment opportunities on New Providence. We are committed to working with the community to combat these social hardships.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are awakening the sleeping Giant among the Bahamian islands. There are indeed a number of important things occurring in Andros right now.
Chief among them is the new Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI). The Government of The Bahamas plans to investment upwards of $20 million for the creation of a world-class agricultural and marine science school which will equip Bahamians and others alike to feed this country in a sustainable manner. Through BAMSI’s extension services, we plan to revitalize, re-organize and rebrand the Agriculture sector of The Bahamas.
Andros is also known for its eco-tourism. We plan to support the development of small lodges which engage in activities that support economic development for Andros and its people, and are also friendly to the environment. We have tremendous bird watching, hunting, fly and bone fishing potential here. We must harness these opportunities.
We also plan to explore how we might best use, in an environmentally sound manner, the deep-water port in Morgan’s Bluff in North Andros. The potential for redevelopment of that area is high.
Finally, as part of our Andros Sustainable Master Plan project, we plan to build capacity. We would like our technical staff in the public service to become familiar with the techniques and research principles which consider the environment, nature, bio-diversity and the real lives of the human beings living in a place, before making development and investment decisions. We are grateful for the partnership, thus far with the IDB and Natural Capital. We have invited the district administrators and chief counsellors of the Andros to become a part of our various committees along with the representatives from the various chambers of commence on Andros so that the voice of Andros is truly heard in the development planning process.
As mentioned, through proper planning and the execution of those plans, we can awaken Andros to its rightful place in The Bahamas.
It was in September last year when our Prime Minister had the privilege of addressing an international audience comprised mainly of the Board of the Nature Conservancy at their Annual General Meeting together with representatives of the Inter American Bank who were also in attendance.
I share his opening remarks which did not receive the attention that it should have and I continue this intervention this morning with its repetition as they have relevance to this particular audience this morning. Prime Minister Christie said:
“…through our partnerships with environmentally conscious organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and others, along with the soon to be created Economic Development Planning Division within my office, I feel that we can cause real economic development to happen in Andros built around its unique natural attributes.
I am, however, seeking a new type of economic development. I am searching for true development which, has at its centre – people and, of course, the environment in mind.
Indeed, my vision and wish for Andros is to have true, meaningful, sustainable development which is organic to the island and generated and embraced by Androsians and all Bahamians.”
This creates the theme of today’s presentation and BAMSI is a shining example of what we can do together, if we put our minds to it. It represents innovation and a new and different approach to agriculture and let me say that it is working.
BAMSI AND ITS IMPACT
BAMSI commenced in September 29th, 2014 with 45 students representing 9 Family islands of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The students ranged in age from 16 to 62 years old, all enrolled in one of 3 Associate Degrees offered at the Institute-Agriculture, Marine Science and Aquaponics.
This summer, the students have embarked on a 6-week paid internship program at 1 of 12 agriculture or marine-related Companies across the archipelago. The goals of the internship are to provide the student with practical on-the-job experiences in an off campus, discipline-related organization as well as to help expand their educational and career goals.
We are mindful that our roots are in North Andros but our mandate covers the entire Bahamas.
Earlier this year, the Institute had readied itself for new learners, with a creative and ambitious recruitment and information drive on 12 Family islands. The sessions were powerful and productive as scores of Bahamians took part and learned about the exciting programs the Institute has to offer.
As a result, we anticipate another strong enrolment in one of our degree programs or our certificate courses for the upcoming Fall 2015 semester. We have developed several short courses in aquaponics, agri-tourism, agribusiness and entrepreneurship that will run this summer throughout the Family islands. Additionally, we will begin offering distance courses for agriculture and marine enthusiasts.
We are thrilled to also have international partners such as Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN FAO, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, IICA, Universities of Miami, Florida, Tuskegee, West Indies Trinidad and most recently Ocean University in China. These partnerships will further diversify our course offerings and faculty complement and training to produce students who are globally-conscious but country driven.
As a result of the BAMSI development over 70 jobs have been created directly on the farm and the institute ranging expertise levels from labourers to PHD’s. This does not include the administrative staff in New Providence. It is noted that a sustained effort is being made to prioritise the hiring of native Androsians wherever possible. Foreign expertise are hired but contracted within the short-term and with Bahamian succession planning, as an essential component.
Economic spin-offs in housing and transportation along with other boarding needs spread throughout the north Andros settlements to the benefit of native Androsians. Properties which once languished unrented before have been refurbished and now produce positive cash flow for north Andros families.
Agricultural Production
BAMSI has begun to also make tangible gains in terms of agricultural production. Over 400,000 seedlings were cultured in the nursery to supply a wide variety of vegetables to the farming community in North Andros. The seedlings were supplied to the associated farmers of BAMSI and to the general farming public. The cost of the seedlings to the farmers was less than half the price that hitherto was common in the market. The seedlings produced were:
1. Onions
2. Tomato
3. Sweet pepper of various types and kinds
4. Hot peppers (scotch bonnet pepper,)
5. Cabbage
The Nursery also donated over 3,000 seedlings to support community development and schools in North Andros and the Berry Island. 1,152 seedlings were supplied to an Urban Renewal Program in North Andros.
In fulfilling its mission the Associated Farmers’ programme has now demonstrated that locally produced food can be competitive and that the stage is now set for the expansion of commercial food production in the Bahamas.
In satisfying one of the goals of the program the output from the farmers have impacted the foreign exchange earnings through import substitution through the following output over the last three months:
The Associated Farmers and those benefiting from the interventions of the outreach program have produced and marketed in Nassau the following:
1. TOMATO: 92,000 pounds (3,680 boxes) = $66,240
2. ONIONS: 1,750,000 pounds (30,000 bag) = $540,000
3. SWEET PEPPER: 6,000 pounds (300 boxes) = $5,100
4. CABBAGE: 5,000 pounds (100 box) = $1,000
This production has an equivalent Free On Board (FOB) value of imported produce of US$695,000.
To date, this programme has produced gross returns of over $198,000 to the four farmers who are directly on the programme.
IMPACT ON FARMERS’ INCOME
The influence of BAMSI on the productive capacity of the farmers in North Andros is manifested in the volume of onions harvested in the second quarter of the year in the amount of 2,000,000 pounds from a cultivated area of 100 acres. This is the highest amount of onions ever harvested in any one season in the Bahamas. This represents an average income per associated farmer of $24,210 so far this year. This program has the potential to allow for each farmer to realize gross returns of over $100,000 per year. Under the packing house system these farmers would not have been able sell more than $9,000 per year.
The commercial marketing linkages with food stores and food distribution outlets in Nassau have also been encouraging. Perhaps the brightest and best example has been the relationship between BAMSI and SUPER VALUE Stores.
SUPER VALUE is dedicated to appoint BAMSI as its preferred supplier and supplier of first call for first class and high quality agricultural produce bearing the “BAMSI Quality Mark” through its plethora of food stores to its varying categories of clients, and to operate as such and in so doing has expressed an RWA (Ready Willing and Able) to establish a buyer/supplier relationship with BAMSI with mutual respect and with inherent rights and privileges to be determined.
As a result, Super Value has begun to receive and sell the following produce from BAMSI:
1. ONION - 9,200 packages (27,600 pounds ) per week
2. PAPAYA – 150 boxes (1,500 pounds) per week
We are now seeing the end of the tunnel. Farming and agriculture is now on the trajectory to becoming the third pillar of economic growth and development in The Bahamas.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
One of the twin objectives of BAMSI is also to conduct research and to create opportunities for student training, research, entrepreneurial development in the marine and aquatic sector. To this end, the students within the Marine Science Department are currently wrapping up their internships within several environmental NGOs and businesses related to their fields of study. These NGOs included the Bahamas National Trust in Andros and Eleuthera, and the Friends of the Environment in Abaco. The local businesses included Paradise Fisheries and Heritage Seafoods in Nassau, Halls Organics Farms in Freeport, and at the BAMSI operations in Andros.
A visit by the leadership of the Ocean University of China is scheduled for next week. It is expected that discussions at that time will focus on cooperation on education and research opportunities for faculty and students between the two countries.
The Marine Science Department of BAMSI, in cooperation with the Department of Marine Resources of the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, Community Conch, the University of Miami and the Shedd Aquarium of Chicago will participate in a conch survey in the South Andros area later this month. These surveys are very important to bring valuable knowledge of the state of this iconic species to the Bahamian people. The information collected will contribute to the baseline data needed to properly manage the conch stocks of The Bahamas.
A sponge bed revitalisation project is currently being developed by the Marine Science Department and the University of Florida. The velvet sponge is a prime candidate for these revitalisation efforts, as it is highly desired and valued, but requires scientific intervention to be re-established prior to the development of a sustainable fishery that would improve the livelihoods of the Bahamian fishers.
Finally, with regard to fisheries, I will say a little about the science of Aquaponics which is being pioneered by BAMSI. Aquaponics consists of a fresh water aquaculture production system that uses fast growing fish species. The water that contains fish wastes and non-utilized fish food is provided as a fertilizer source to a vegetable production system. This water used to irrigate vegetables and then returned to the fish tanks. Therefore, high economies of space and high productivity of both fish and vegetables are integrated in an efficient fresh water recirculation system.
Aquaponics will be developed in a small scale pilot program in the Marine Science Department to demonstrate the technologies and processes to potential investors while providing the feasibility, cost efficiency and gains of producing vegetables that are commonly used in The Bahamas, as well as tilapia, as it is now locally consumed, as a cheaper source of fish protein. It is expected that interested investors can develop this new and integrated technologies to full scale commercial production. Technical assistance and scientific support will be available from BAMSI for those investing in this integrated production system.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The point of all this is that BAMSI is indeed well on its way to fulfilling its mission and objective: revitalization of agriculture in our nation; reducing the import bill on food; creating innovative scientific research on matters of importance to our marine and fisheries sector and providing that much needed stimulus for the development of Andros. Everything stated previously points to the fact that we are well on our way to achieving this.
The long and short of it is that BAMSI has been impactful. Its success has hardly begun to be felt. With sustained development of its plans and with a commitment of resources it will, we are certain, become a major pillar of the economic resurgence of Andros and, also, have an impact on other regions of our country.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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