Minister of Agriculture Appeals to Residents to Start Backyard Gardens

Minister for Education, Youth, Agriculture and Lands (EYSAL) Juliana O’Connor-Connolly appeals to residents to practice backyard farming.

Describing backyard farming as an excellent way of ensuring food security and good health, Minister O’Connor-Connolly also urged registered farmers to take advantage of available agricultural grants such as those provided under the COVID 19 Farmers’ Assistance Programme.

“The Ministry of Agriculture has set aside one million dollars to ensure that our farmers, especially those negatively affected by the COVID 19 pandemic, gain access to seeds, fertilisers and other essential agricultural input. Through the provision of these funds, we hope to stimulate increased agricultural activity, increase backyard enterprises and provide greater quantities of fresh, high-quality produce and livestock to satisfy the growing needs of the people of the Cayman Islands,” stated Minister O’Connor-Connolly.

Minister O’Connor-Connolly made this appeal following a visit with veteran West Bay farmer, Mr. Araunah Powery last Tuesday (5 January 2021).

Mr. Powery recently reaped pumpkins weighing over 200 lbs from his backyard garden, with the largest weighing 30.1 lbs. He expressed his pride at the impressive yield and likewise encouraged others to become involved in backyard farming.

“We must get into the habit of growing our food and become more self-reliant. It does not require much. All that is needed is good soil, and a small piece of land and the Cayman Islands are blessed with both,” Mr. Powery commented.

For more about backyard farming, contact the Department of Agriculture at 947-3090.

For more about the COVID 19 Farmers’ Assistance Programme, contact MEYSAL Deputy Chief Officer Wilbur Welcome at 926-3146 or Senior Policy Advisor Demoy Nash at 927-0753.