NIA CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS (December 12, 2025)– The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) is reporting significant advancements in domestic food production for 2025, driven by increased crop output, expanded shade house operations, strengthened marketing support, and ongoing investment in livestock and fisheries.

Honourable Deputy Premier Eric Evelyn, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Cooperatives, outlined the sector’s performance during the recent 2026 Budget Debate, highlighting measurable gains across multiple agricultural areas.

He revealed that farmers recorded an 11.6 percent increase in cultivated acreage and a 7.7 percent increase in yields. Production surged in key crops such as cantaloupe, honeydew, cucumber, pumpkin, sweet pepper, sweet potato, watermelon, and tomato.

Minister Evelyn praised the island’s leadership in climate-smart farming. He noted that Nevis has “come an extremely long way in terms of shade house production,” adding that the island is leading the OECS in shade house technology. Calling it a model of innovation, he said the investment “is paying dividends.”

Encouraging youth to embrace agriculture, Minister Evelyn emphasized its viability and modern transformation.
“Every year we see a lot of young people coming out of school and I want to encourage them to get involved, because as I indicated people must eat… And so, it is incumbent on us, it is incumbent on the young people, to take up the mantle and start doing some agriculture… Shade house technology is all about easier work and making more money… Money is in it.”

Currently, 20 shade houses are in active production, supplying lettuce, leafy greens, cucumber, sweet pepper, and tomato. Farmers are producing nearly all lettuce consumed locally, thanks to modern agricultural systems.

Minister Evelyn underscored the essential role of the NIA’s marketing unit, established to ensure farmers receive consistent support after production.

“The marketing unit continues to function as a major clearing house for local fruits and vegetables… During the first three quarters of 2025, there was a throughput of 114,298 pounds of produce.”

Payments to crop farmers grew by 10.02 percent in the first three quarters of 2025, while revenue from the sale of agricultural inputs rose to $523,023.49, a 4.5 percent increase over 2024.

“Figures don’t lie. Figures show the evidence of what is happening in the Department of Agriculture,” he stated.

Livestock production totalled 132,007.9 pounds in the first three quarters of 2025, with pork production increased by 8.3 percent, rising from 58,000 pounds to 62,816 pounds.

The Abattoir continues to diversify its offerings, producing more than twenty value-added products, including smoked ham, pork ribs, beef sausages, pork bacon, chicken patties, and ground beef.

The Ministry’s support extended to the fisheries sector, with the Department of Marine Resources processing 60 duty-free concession applications valued at more than $667,000 between January 1 and November 27, 2025. Items included fishing vessels, outboard engines, equipment, maintenance materials, trailers, buoys, and gear.

Speaking to the outlook for 2026, Minister Evelyn reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to food sovereignty and continued sector growth.

“We will continue to actively promote agriculture in schools; support and promote shade house technology; continue to improve on quality and the quantity of products at the abattoir and at the agro-processing unit… promote intensive livestock production… and continue capacity building in terms of training.”

Plans for 2026 include:

• Advancing construction of the broiler processing facility in partnership with Atlantic Poultry Biotech, Inc.
• Establishing three acres of root crops for planting materials such as ginger, yam, dasheen, and tania.
• Acquiring two new tractors for improved farm services.
• Enhancing animal extension and health services.
• Expanding the holding area at the abattoir.
• Supporting the creation of a new aquaculture group, as interest grows in tilapia, shrimp farming, and ornamental fish production.

The Ministry of Agriculture remains steadfast in its mission to build resilience, boost food security, and expand economic opportunities for farmers across Nevis.