“Fill the Bucket ” Campaign Launched

Friday 3rd February, 2023 - The Rotary Club in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture launched the “Fill the Bucket” campaign which aims to provide irrigation access to farmers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This project, which was initiated by the Rotary Club of St. Vincent District 7030 and is funded by the donations of clubs in Rotary District 6600 (Ohio), aims to provide water tanks and establish Ram pump systems for approximately one hundred and eleven (111) farmers. The Ram pump system will be established through the use of nearby streams as a water source.

The project comes at an opportune time when the country and the farming community is beset by several existential shocks such as Climate Change, Covid-19 pandemic and the effects of the 2021 La Soufriere Volcano eruption.

To commemorate the launch, a short press briefing was held at the Ministry of Agriculture Conference Room.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour, Hon Saboto Caesar hoped that this initiative will foster connections with other farmers. The Minister noted that this project will not only benefit the agricultural and livestock industries but also the emerging hospitality industry with regards to the demand for produce.

President, Rotary Club of SVG District 7030, Daniel Campbell expressed his excitement with the project as it will see the unprecedented use of cutting-edge technology in SVG. The Rotary Club of SVG intends to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Water and Sewage Authority (CWSA) to guarantee the Ram pump system’s effective installation, he informed.

International Service Chair for Rotary District 6600 in northwest Ohio, Andrew Bone also expressed his certainty that the project will contribute significantly to the economy of SVG.

Chief Agricultural Officer, Renato Gumbs thanked the Rotary club for recognizing the need to enhance the water capability systems to assist agricultural and livestock farmers.

Rotary International is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem solvers who envision a future in which people unite and take action to achieve sustainable change - globally, in our communities and in ourselves.

Rainforest Seafood’s First Transshipment of Tuna Fish

On February 7th 2023, Mr. Christopher Ragbir, a Trinidadian Captain of the vessel ‘Captain David’, docked a significant amount of tuna fish in St. Vincent and the Grenadines with recognition by Hon Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour. This remarkably enabled the Rainforest Facility in Calliaqua to transship tuna fish for the first time since its establishment, indicating development in the blue economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Captain Christopher Ragbir mentioned that he anticipates providing future business to Rainforest, upon recognition that the facility has an ideal standard.

For Rainforest, this is an amazing prospect, as Stephen Seymour, the company’s Country Manager, views the transformation that is taking place as a vital necessity.