Food security on Nevis has received a significant boost with the official handover of a 30,000-gallon water storage tank, along with a shade house and dry storage facility at the Prospect Agricultural Station, delivered to the New River Farmers Cooperative.
Minister of Agriculture and Deputy Premier, the Honourable Eric Evelyn, highlighted the importance of the interventions for supporting the island’s agricultural sector. “These contributions will allow us to adequately store and manage produce cultivated here on Nevis,” he said, expressing gratitude to the donor agencies for their continued support.
The project is led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with a focus on strengthening environmental management through sustainable land practices. It integrates biodiversity conservation, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable land management into key development initiatives.
At the handover ceremony, President of the New River Farmers Association, Merla Isles, underscored the critical role of water access in sustaining agriculture amid changing climate patterns.
“As rainfall becomes less reliable, it is vital to utilize all available water sources to improve availability for farmers’ plots,” Isles said. “This will directly contribute to increased production and sustainable livelihoods in our communities. On behalf of the New River Farmers Cooperative, we extend our deep appreciation for the holding tank. It is now our responsibility to maintain it in partnership with the Agriculture Department to ensure these resources continue to serve us well.”
The 100-by-80-foot shade house will support the propagation of fruit trees for reforestation efforts in areas affected by erosion, hurricanes, pests, and disease, explained Project Coordinator Steve Reid from the Ministry of Agriculture. The dry storage facility, constructed adjacent to the Larinson Parris Agricultural Depot, will provide much-needed space to store produce safely.
Technical Officer Melvin James and Project Coordinator Nikita Brown of the IUCN, along with Dr. Christopher Cox, GEF Programme Officer/Task Manager, formally presented the facilities, having played central roles in the project’s implementation.
Honourable Evelyn reiterated the value of the collaboration. “All of these interventions are part of the project funded by GEF, UNEP, and IUCN, for which we are eternally grateful,” he said. “A big thank you to all our partners for helping us strengthen Nevis’ agricultural sector through the new water storage tank, shade house, and dry storage facility.”