Food sustainability project takes shape

A project aimed at making Cayman more productive in growing its own food seems to be progressing, according to a release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, which said Agriculture Minister Johany Jay Ebanks was pleased with the progress of the phased implementation of the High Rock Agro Park/Production Zone Pilot Project in the Eastern Districts.

The project aims to support the implementation of the Cayman Islands Agricultural Land Use License Policy (CI-ALLP) and the Cayman Islands Food and Nutrition Security Policy (CIFNSP), two initiatives of the government, and intends to outfit unused agricultural lands with a new road network, 22 plots of land, post-harvesting facilities, sanitary conveniences, and other critical infrastructure to support local agricultural production. This is with the aim of creating better connectivity throughout the agricultural area, providing lands to Caymanian farmers to enhance local food production, and bolstering Cayman’s food and nutrition security.

Last week, Minister Ebanks made a site visit to assess the progress of the road construction phase by the National Roads Authority and spoke about the crucial role of the project in fulfilling the government’s vision of having a more food-secure Cayman Islands.

“The Eastern districts, with their fertile land and potential for agricultural growth, will greatly benefit from the development of this pilot project. It will enable farmers to capitalise on the efficiency of agricultural activities, increase yields, and minimise environmental impacts,” he said.

He talked about the government entities which are collaborating on the project, including the Ministry of District Admin and Lands, Department of Lands and Survey, Department of Agriculture, Planning Department, Water Authority, Department of Environment, National Road Authority, Public Works Department, and the Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development.

“The commitment and cooperation of our stakeholders have been instrumental in ensuring the realisation of this phase of this agricultural infrastructure. I am looking forward to this excellent collaboration continuing to bear fruit,” the Minister stated.

Accompanying him on the tour from the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing, and Infrastructure were: Chief Officer Eric Bush; Deputy Chief Officer Leyda Nicholson-Makasare; and Senior Policy Advisor Demoy Nash. The site visit’s updates were provided by Edward Howard, Jr, Managing Director, National Roads Authority, accompanied by Ellington Forbes, Roads Superintendent, NRA.