Panel discussion aims to revive agriculture
POSTED: 06/24/16 9:12 PM
Wifol-President Theophilus Thompson (left) and Bushman. Photo Today / Hilbert Haar
St. Maarten News – Ital Shack, the Wifol union and its educational arm Cifsef organize a panel discussion about agriculture, fishery and animal husbandry next week Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wifol building on Longwall Road.
Roland Joe, better known as Bushman, and Wifol President Theophilus Thompson announced the event at a press conference yesterday morning. The panel will feature three members who will each present an introduction: agriculturist Jocelyn Richardson, Nature Foundation Manager Tadzio Bervoets and Mervyn Butcher who works at the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication for the department responsible for agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry.
“You can be free if you can feed yourself,” Bushman said about the timing of the event on the eve of Emancipation Day. “We used to have food and we were able to feed ourselves. I don’t know what happened, but these days we are importing everything.”
Bushman said that it is important to revive agriculture on the island and that next to history it has to become part of the education system. “Children love to play in the dirt and by learning about agriculture they could spend their energy in a positive way.”
“The panel discussion aims to create awareness about agriculture. We need to develop agriculture alongside tourism. Fishing has always been a part of St. Maarten’s culture. We have to go back to our roots,” Thompson added.
