According to statistics revealed during the budget debate on Wednesday, 14thDecember, 2011, “the agricultural sector continues to expand. “
“For the first six months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, there was an increase in the production of cabbage by 114%, onions increased by 105%, pineapple by 18%, sweet pepper by 73%, sweet potatoes by 7%, white potatoes by 120% and yams 87%. Production of carrots declined by 11%, pumpkin by 12% and watermelon 22%. Overall, the agricultural output increased by 16%,” Dr. Harris said.
The June 2011 economic and financial review of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) also revealed positive developments in the livestock subsector. There was an 11% increase in egg output and the fisheries subsector yielded a 30% increase in production.
In his contribution on the budget, Dr Harris called on the hotel sector and indeed the national community to give the greatest possible support to the agriculture producers. He also called on the national community to support local businesses and local products in a very strong way.
Meanwhile the ECCB has also highlighted the resilience of the manufacturing sector. According to the ECCB June 2011 economic and financial review “value added in the manufacturing sector is also estimated to have increased, attributable to greater demand from customers in the USA, the largest export market for the manufactured electrical components”.