Agriculture 2014 Open Day promisses fun, food and education

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 23rd, 2014 (SKNIS):  The Agriculture Department will host its annual Agriculture Open Day this Thursday and Friday April 24 and 25 from 9a.m. at the Agriculture Department grounds in La Guerite, Basseterre.

The theme for this year’s Open Day is “Agriculture: Moving in the Right Direction”.  The annual focuses on promoting the work of local farmers and reminds the public that agriculture is an important part of society. The event also encourages everyone to learn more about how local foods are produced. Additionally, it aims at developing an appreciation for the role agriculture plays in providing safe and affordable products and how it strengthens the economy.

The Department will illustrate its agricultural development strategy with displays on:  Operational Food Security, Farming and Agricultural Systems Transformation, Agri-business and Market Development, Agricultural Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation. 

Other engaging exhibitions include Backyard Garden space saving displays, Breadfruit Project booth, Protected Agriculture-Green House and Shade House displays, a Monkey-Proof Farm Model, a tour of the brand new Operational Pack House where persons will learn how breadfruit flour is made and much more.

There will also be an educational corner for persons seeking to pursue a career in agriculture. Staff from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus in St. Kitts and the St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad, the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College will be present to speak with interested persons. 

For the younger visitors, there will be a bouncing castle, breadfruit and sweet potato ice cream specials,  lucky dips, a treasure hunt, forest trail and horseback riding, as well as classic games with an agricultural twist.  There will also be educational games such as “Name that Plant” and “Animal Kingdom”.

A food court will be stocked with local foods such as the ever popular “tree mutton” local pork and mutton, breadfruit dishes, goat water and more.  Cooperatives will be on hand to provide attendees with snacks and local drinks. 

There will be a booth dedicated to all things breadfruit, where visitors can sample different dishes all made from this versatile starch, popular in St. Kitts and Nevis. 

Visitors can support farmers at the Farmers Market with daily specials.  There will also be raffles, where visitors can win prizes including a 40 inch Samsung smart television, a Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro tablet and a Samsung S4 mini mobile phone.

This will mark the 21st anniversary of the Agriculture Open Day, which is celebrated by all ages across the country.