Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Israel Bruce, said efforts underway by the Ministry to produce Irish potatoes in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are very promising.

His comments came after he visited three (3) experimental plots in the Belle Isle area. Speaking from the plot farmed by the inmates at the Belle Isle prison facility, Minister Bruce said the data indicate that the 2026 yields have surpassed those achieved in previous experiments.  He described this as a good sign: “It means, therefore, that we can begin to contemplate reducing our importation of Irish potatoes into Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.”

“We are duty-bound to continue to push this type of production.  It’s the only way we’re going to reduce importation and give us even a possibility to do export. Even if we don’t get to the point where we export the white potato, we could get to the point where we don’t have to import it.  And that would be a significant game changer”, the Minister of Agriculture disclosed.

Highlighting the inmates’ contribution, Minister Bruce stated that there is potential for the prison to supplement its food supplies with Irish potatoes grown on its farm. Accordingly, the Minister of Agriculture highlighted the programme’s importance to the government, “in terms of the reduction of costs of having to buy food imported to feed the prisoners. Of course, there’s still a cost in planting the seed and taking care of it.  But I believe the cost is reduced significantly by the production that is happening here.” Minister Bruce added that locally grown Irish potatoes can also supplement existing crops such as dasheen, and aid food diversification.

He urged farmers to take the advice of the planning unit and the extension services:  “We can’t have a system with ill-discipline in it. So, when we say to you that the potato is not going to be suitable for your area, don’t start thinking that the Ministry and the Minister don’t want you to produce potatoes.  That’s not it. They’re using the intel that they have, and we want to make sure that if you’re planting ginger, you’ll get the best price for ginger.”

Meanwhile, Agriculture Instructor, Iasha Cambridge, said the yields and sizes, particularly from participating farmers, are quite promising, with little spoilage observed.  She explained, that given the results, this country can move straight into full production:  “So, with the training that has been done so far, and with the help of the extension officers, they tend to, well, it’s evident that they did guide the farmers pretty well, and the yields have shown pretty good so far with the farmers and them that we have checked.”

“We also had a farmer who reported that he had over 1, 200 pounds of potatoes harvested already from just a small area of land,” Cambridge disclosed.

SOURCE: Agency For Public Information (API)