Federation’s Agriculture Ministers visit Agricultural Research Institute and Workforce Development Agency in Republic of China (Taiwan)
Minister of Agriculture in Nevis Honourable Alexis Jeffers (extreme left) Minister of Agriculture in St. Kitts Honourable Eugene Hamilton (second from left) with officials from the Agriculture Research Institute in Taichung, Taiwan, other members of a delegation from Her Excellency Jasmine Huggins, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis Resident Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan) (fifth from left) and head of the delegation, Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Mark Brantley (fourth from right) on August 22, 2017
NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (AUGUST 23, 2017) — The following is a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated August 22, 2017.
Minister of Agriculture in Saint Kitts, Honourable Eugene Hamilton and Minister of Agriculture in the Nevis Island Administration, Honourable Alexis Jeffers, had the opportunity to visit Taiwan’s Agriculture Research Institute in Taichung, Taiwan, on August 22, 2017, during an official visit to that country.
The delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Mark Brantley, met with Dr. Junne-Jih Chen, Director of the Institute who provided valuable information about the use of technology in the agricultural sector.
Saint Kitts and Nevis has benefited from the use of this technology through a Taiwanese project of soil mapping and whose findings were presented to the delegation by the specialist who visited the Federation.
The results of the soil mapping project is important, she acknowledged, because it gives valuable information on the chemical make-up of the soil and provides information to the government and farmers on the types of crops that are best suited to a specific land area.
The results stemming from the project will be forwarded to the agricultural ministries for review, analysis and necessary action.
Members of the delegation, also visited green houses and learned of the new technologies incorporated in new design styles of green houses that are functional and specifically constructed to shield crops from inclement weather.
Minister Brantley and the delegation, also toured one of Taiwan’s Workforce Development Agencies and learned from its Director, the possibilities offered to the unemployed in Taiwan desirous of learning a new skill.
The Director also informed the delegation that through the ICDF, the Agency has been able to assist countries with vocational training for their citizens.
The very large facility, housed areas for learning skills such as carpentry, mechanics, plumbing, and baking among others and provides Employment and Entrepreneurship Services as well.
The Foreign Minister noted the thrust of St Kitts and Nevis into greater vocational training and certification and welcomed the opportunity and offer of partnership with Taiwan, in the ongoing efforts to ensure training for all Kittitians and Nevisians.