The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) has continued stakeholder consultations for the design of the new Agriculture and Fisheries Complex.
The new building will consolidate the services of the Abattoir and the Fishing Complex into one upgraded facility at Paraquita Bay and includes a market front for the sale of local produce, meat, and fish. The design adheres to international food safety and hygiene standards and also includes a food laboratory for testing. It is designed to minimize contamination risks through separate processing areas and will have treatment facilities and an incinerator to protect against environmental pollution through solid and liquid waste.
This consultation process began on January 24th 2025 with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and continued on February 4th 2025, to allow industry stakeholders to hear the Agriculture and Fisheries Department’s strategy for the agriculture and fishing industries and how this project ties into that broader strategy.
At the meeting, Design Consultants, Trojan Design and Development Limited outlined the functions of the building.
The Honourable Dr. Karl Dawson, Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, stated in his remarks that the project is one aspect of the Government’s wider strategy to foster local food production and provide a conduit to customers for the agriculture and fishing industries through various policies and projects.
The RDA remains committed to supporting the Government of the Virgin Islands in building a sustainable agricultural and fisheries sector, strengthening food security, and creating an environment for Virgin Islanders to take advantage of economic opportunities.
For further information, please contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries via telephone 468-6123, or 468-6124 or email doaf@gov.vg. Persons can also contact the RDA’s Community Liaison Officer, April Glasgow, at April.Glasgow@bvirecovery.vg.
The Agriculture and Fisheries Complex falls under the RDA’s Vibrant and Innovative Economy sector and the Agriculture and Fishing subsector and is guided by the outcome statement: “A strong and sustainable agricultural and fisheries sector that diversifies the economy, encourages the growth of small businesses, enhances the tourism offering, and promotes improved food security with less reliance on imported foods.”
It is tied to the National Sustainable Development Plan’s (NSDP) Outcome 6 – Diversified Economy and Globally Competitive Industries and lies within Goal 3 – Economy, which seeks to “improve the efficiency and competitiveness of traditional industries”.
It is also closely related to Outcome 1 – A Healthy Population and Goal 1 – Health and Wellness, guided by the priority commitments to “make healthy lifestyles a priority” and “reduce the disease burden especially for non-communicable diseases”.
