KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent,  CMC – The St. Vincent and the Grenadines government says it will use the EC$34 million (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) being made available to the island by the European Union for continued development of the agricultural sector.

Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar in a message to farmers and other stakeholders said that the funds are being provided under the Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) that is supporting African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries adjust to new global trade realities.

“We have continued the stabilisation of the banana industry through Operations Cutback, Operations Flag back and control of the Black Stigatoka disease.”

He said while there may have been several setbacks, “my request is that we look forward towards 2013 and beyond with optimism since the 34 million dollars under the Banana Accompanying Measures will become available to start assisting crops and livestock farmers, fishermen and women of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Agro processors, marketers and farming institutions and organisations.”

He said the funds would also be used to upgrade feeder roads and other infrastructure “together with a new initiative from Winfresh to market non-banana commodities to Europe”.