Farmers' Market

Government plans to replace the now defunct Farmers' Market with an ambitious agri-tourism initiative. It is to be developed as a joint venture with the private sector at an expanded Agriculture Pavilion site in Lower Valley, Bodden Town, Leader of Government Business and Agriculture Minister, the Hon. Kurt Tibbetts, told Members in the House Thursday morning (23 March).

Replying to a substantive question raised by George Town MLA Lucille Seymour on replacement plans for the Farmer's Market, Minister Tibbetts outlined that the result of a review undertaken was "an exciting, fresh and unique concept" designed to serve the local community and "forge new and economically beneficial links" between the agriculture and tourism sectors. The review took the form of an extensive examination of the needs and opportunities within the agriculture sector and the wider economy. It incorporated ideas from stakeholders as well as experience gleaned from 15 years of agricultural marketing, he elaborated.

The new agri-tourism project "envisages the development of the Lower Valley agricultural site into a multi-functional, multi-use facility with a strong agricultural and cultural theme," the minister said.

The facility will simultaneously be an agricultural & craft market and agri-tourism attraction. It will also serve as an education centre for the preservation, promotion and development of agriculture as well as the craft and culinary heritage of Cayman.

Expansion of the present agricultural pavilion site would make it available as a national venue for events such as the hugely popular annual Ash Wednesday agricultural show, as well as for other festivals, cultural and sporting events, Mr. Tibbetts said.

Local architect John Doak has already contributed "very exciting" conceptual plans for the project which were on display at the 1 March Agricultural Show, the Minister said, adding: "These are conceptual plans only, created to provide a basis for critique and input." The final plans would require input from a wide cross section of stakeholders, he stressed.

He termed the project not just agricultural but a national one, "unique in its scope and vision to the Cayman Islands and even the wider Caribbean."

Replying to queries raised by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. McKeeva Bush, he stressed that as the plans were only conceptual, no costing was done and he could not share a cost outline for the project with the House at this time.

However, since this is to be a partnership project, most of the physical structure is envisaged to be paid for by corporate Cayman. Once the plans for the project were firmed up, sponsorship would be sought from corporate entities. In return, kiosks used in the project would provide continuous advertising for the sponsors.

The Lower Valley site was chosen for the project since it boasts a number of attractive features, Mr. Tibbetts noted. These included site's size, the availability of surrounding land for future development, the fact that the site is government-owned, with significant investment already made there.

Existing infrastructure at the site currently houses the Department of Agriculture headquarters and its experimental farms as well as the Agricultural Pavilion, incorporating the Agriculture Hall of Fame. The site has well established road access and is on elevated ground, all of which make it an attractive site for a land-based agri-tourism initiative, Mr. Tibbetts said.

Outlining the rationale behind such an initiative, the minister noted that the challenge was to expand marketing efforts for agriculture products. Cayman's production is at a scale that does not lend itself to export. Tourism provides the equivalent of export in the form of over one million visitors each year to the Islands, over 20 times the size of the local population.

From the tourism sector's point of view, there is an identified need for land-based attractions in Cayman and considerable demand for authentic culinary and local foods, crafts, native flora and fauna. The Turtle Farm is one such agri-tourism attraction. Mr. Willie Ebanks' farm in North Side was another proof of public interest in things agrarian, Minister Tibbetts said.

But while potentially benefiting both sectors, the move would have an enormous impact on the agricultural community, with direct economic benefits accruing to farmers who sell their produce there. Another major benefit to the vitality of the agriculture sector were the plans for the on-site processing facility, utilising periodic excesses in fresh produce to make jams, jellies and juices.

The new initiative would expose younger generations to potential markets for agrarian products as well as provide marketing opportunities for, and continuity of, traditional Caymanian craft.

'Produce Saturdays' from June at Agriculture Pavilion

Regular 'Produce Saturdays' are in the offing for the Agriculture Pavilion where local farmers can offer fresh produce for sale, Leader of Government Business and Agriculture Minister, the Hon. Kurt Tibbetts, told Members in the House Thursday morning (23 March}.

During discussions he and his staff had with farmers three days ago, the idea of 'Produce Saturdays' was firmed up, with a start-up day aimed for June this year.

The frequency of the produce days would be determined by the public response generated, Minister Tibbetts said.

He was responding to a query from George Town MLA Alfonso Wright during Question Time.

For further information contact: Bina Mani