Honourable Eric Evelyn
Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Cooperatives
Nevis Island Administration
World Food Day Address 2026
Fellow Citizens and Residents,
It is my distinct privilege to address you as Minister of Agriculture in the Nevis Island Administration on the observance of World Food Day 2026.
World Food Day is a United Nations designated occasion to unite in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16 to commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (F.A.O.) in 1945. The day is celebrated widely by many other organizations concerned with hunger and food security.
This year, we celebrate World Food Day under the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”. The theme is both fitting and timely as we as a Ministry and Department continue our efforts at innovation in a dynamic and changing environment. Agricultural practices being utilized today are far different from those employed even when I began my tenure in the Department of Agriculture forty-one years ago. Times have changed and we must endeavour to be mindful of that, and to adapt to new technology.
As we continue efforts at food security and providing nourishment to our population, forefront in our minds should be the constant need to innovate. I believe that we have done an excellent job at innovation over the years, but that trend must continue.
There has been innovation in practically every aspect of farming and fishing, and we have witnessed tremendous results. Over the years we have seen innovation from land preparation to harvesting to value addition and Agro processing. There have been changes in the varieties of crops we plant, irrigation practices, pest control measures, open field versus shade house production and even harvesting and storage methods.
In fishing we have seen changes in the types and sizes of fishing vessels, in fishing gear and even the making of fish traps.
I believe that this year’s World Food Day theme is calling us to innovate even more as the field of Agriculture faces more and more challenges. Climate change has undoubtedly become one of the industry’s major challenges and requires climate smart practices to combat its devastating effects. We have made significant strides in employing climate smart practices but the work has to continue.
If we are to nourish our population tomorrow, then we must intensify our efforts at innovation today. The Ministry and Department of Agriculture that I am privileged to lead will continue to innovate and as we do so we will continue to work hand in hand with our famers and fishers to ensure that they are also taking the lead.
I take this opportunity to encourage our farmers and fishers to be mindful of the need to innovate in order to take advantage of the growing demand for more local and wholesome products.
As we celebrate World Food Day later this week, a number of activities have been planned and they include:
- Seeds and pesticides sale at the Larrinson Parry Agricultural Depot in Prospect during the period Monday 12th to Friday 16th October
- During this week farmers and backyard gardeners can enjoy discounts at the depot
- Distribution of coconut plants at the Prospect Agricultural Station on Tuesday 13th
The Department of Agriculture has crafted an initiative dubbed “Lend A Hand- Crop Farmers Assistance”. This involves extension officers actually assisting farmers and backyard gardeners with hands on, on farm activities. The initiative, which started last week, is continuing this week and include farmers, backyard gardeners and schools. Assistance has been provided to the Gingerland Secondary School in its rehabilitation of the shade house, and on Wednesday 14th farmers in District one will benefit.
On Thursday 15th the Department will host a livestock forage bank and solar system demo in collaboration with one of our livestock farmers in the Low Ground/Cherry Garden area.
Then on World Food Day on Friday 16th, there will be a radio quiz on VON Radio during the morning. That day has also been dubbed “Eat a Fruit Day”. Persons are encouraged to eat at least one local fruit that day. You are also encouraged to take a photo and post it and you can win prizes from the Department of Agriculture.
I would once again commit my Ministry and Department to lead the charge in innovation as we seek to nourish our population tomorrow. Farmers, backyard gardeners and fishers, we are depending on you for your collaboration and support.
I continue to encourage us all to eat more of what we grow and grow more of what we eat. I take this opportunity to wish all, and especially the dedicated staff at the Ministry and Department of Agriculture as well as our hardworking farmers and fishers, Happy World Food Day 2026.
Thank you and God Bless
