SVG Chamber of Agriculture & Nutrition

The SVG Chamber of Agriculture & Nutrition (SVG-CAN)

Why a Chamber of Agriculture & Nutrition?

SVG-CAN, an Agro-Based Non Governmental Organisation, by and for farmers that promotes a new generation of farmers in developing locally based, ecologically sound and economically viable agricultural enterprises.

The need for a new approach to nutrition-security is at the core of this new chamber. In the initial phase the focus will be on bringing back the youth into farming through the re-introduction of 4H clubs in rural areas. Having reviewed several documents on the National health situation, this organization feels compelled to placing nutrition on the front burner.

There are many challenges in agriculture today but there are also many exciting opportunities. By thinking about agriculture in new and innovative ways we can meet the challenges head on with a variety of solutions that promote a sustainable, healthy and regional food supply.

SVG-CAN will be promoting farming based on the permaculture approach through exchanges and contacts with the global permaculture community while making maximum use of locally available raw materials and resources.

Successful farms make important contributions to the health and vibrancy of both rural and urban communities. SVG-CAN encourages new farmers to engage in entrepreneurial strategies that creatively turn challenges into opportunities.

SVG-CAN intends to influence the local Nutrition Supplement program by making fresh fruits and vegetables a standard part of the dietary supplement in schools and health centres, while improving the livelihood of our farmers.

SVG-CAN will place high on its agenda: renewable energy and water harvesting and will encourage the installation of solar panels and/or small wind turbines on every farm. Members of the Agri-chamber will be encouraged to pursue permaculture training in an effort to reduce and ultimately remove non biological chemicals from small farms while observing the three R's of the environment: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The Agri-Chamber Head Office and intended base for a farmer's radio station will be at Rose Hall. The organisation's sub offices will be located in the regional districts and will be interconnected over the internet.

The organisation intends to collaborate with stakeholders and partners such as the Nutrition unit, the wider Ministries of Health & the Environment, Agriculture & Forestry, Education, Tourism and relevant youth and women's organisations and other Non Governmental Organisations.

The Chamber intends to be a leading advocate on environmental matters and at its inception is calling for a national water harvesting program and a national fruit netting program to be initiated.

This organisation also intends to promote a single label for small rural agro processors.

The executive members are:

1. Mr Alson Duncan

2. Ms Francelo R. Wyllie

3. Ms Norgie Tucker

4. Mr Earl Kirby

5. Mr Percy Lampkin

6. Mr Lennox Lampkin

7. Dr. Leonard O'Garro

Why should you buy and eat local?

As the price of fossil fuels continue to rise and countries struggle to reduce their carbon footprint, governments and businesses continue to look for ways of building a green image by encouraging local farmers to produce for local consumption.

Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown or raised allows you to choose safe food from farmers who choose not to use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified seed in their operations.

Fresh fruits and vegetables that are delivered and consumed close to the farm are often more nutritious and richer in taste when compared to food shipped long distances from other countries.

Local farmers can offer varieties of produce bred for taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life. You'll protect the environment, strengthen your local economy, and support endangered family farms.

Local food doesn't have to travel far. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions and packaging materials. Buying local food also helps to make farming more profitable and the sale of farmland for development less attractive. It keeps your dollars circulating in your community. With each local food purchase, you ensure that more of your money spent on food goes directly to the farmer instead of to middlemen, hence reducing the likelihood of praedial larceny. Getting to know the farmers who grow your food builds relationships based on understanding and trust, the foundation of strong communities.

MISSION & GOALS

Our Mission

To facilitate, support and encourage a new generation of Agri-preneurs to develop economically viable, locally based, and ecological agricultural enterprises.

Goals:

- Promote sustainable Agri-business models

- Develop farm facilities, resources and linkages important to new and young farmers

- coordinate and communicate innovative new and local market research

- Develop and promote local brands

- Develop effective land tenures and stewardship arrangements

Objectives

-Establish a "United - Voice" organization serving the interest of all natural persons who are heads of family farms or crafts, businesses and educational and scientific institutions.

-To coordinate the efforts of those agro - producers, producer groups and nutritionists who believe in a united action in advocating for favorable policy decisions in the interaction with Government, Donors and NGOs locally and intra and extra regionally.

-To work with the farming community to create a sustainable agro eco-system thereby minimizing farm wastage, increasing employment and reduce rural poverty.

-To coordinate the supply chain of local agricultural produce from farm to consumers locally and intra and extra regionally.

-Establish collaborative links with Agricultural research institutions globally with the goal of remaining sustainable and environmentally responsible.

-To negotiate and make arrangements to get involved in profitable marketing ventures where buying, selling or manufacturing would prove beneficial to farmers, producers or any branch of agriculturalist in the country.

-To promote the development of sustainable agro-businesses through the vehicle of co-operatives, organized farming and cluster arrangements in especially rural communities.

-To encourage and promote the participation of young entrepreneurs and women in agricultural production and agro-business development.

-To encourage and advance the growth and sustainable development of Agriculture in St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

-To foster greater understanding of food security and related issues among the media in SVG.

-To promote or raise awareness on practices which promote food security and nutrition in general.