Agriculture and Food Security, Climate Change & Sustainability, Renewable Energy, Marijuana Protection, Protections and Conservation of the Natural Environment
Overview of Agriculture and Fisheries in St. Kitts and Nevis
Agriculture and fisheries play a vital role in the economic, social, and environmental fabric of St. Kitts and Nevis. Though the sector’s contribution to GDP has declined since the end of the sugar industry in 2005, it remains central to national efforts toward food and nutrition security, rural livelihoods, and sustainable development.
The agricultural landscape is characterized by smallholder farms producing a diverse range of crops, including vegetables, fruits, root crops, and tree crops such as coconuts, bananas, and plantains. Livestock farming: particularly poultry, pigs, goats, sheep and cattle also contribute to local food supply and income generation. Government initiatives have increasingly focused on modernizing production through greenhouse technology, irrigation systems, and the promotion of climate-smart and organic farming practices.
The fisheries sector is an important source of livelihood, particularly in coastal communities. Artisanal fishers operate primarily in nearshore waters, targeting species such as snapper, grouper, lobster, and conch. The Government continues to strengthen fisheries management through improved infrastructure, cold storage, data collection, and sustainable practices that protect marine ecosystems.
Together, agriculture and fisheries are key pillars in the Government’s strategy to reduce food imports, build resilience, and ensure that the people of St. Kitts and Nevis have access to safe, nutritious, and locally produced food.
Achievements up to August 2025
- Introduction of geothermal collaboration between Saint Kitts and Nevis.
- The Ministry of Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Cooperatives in connection to the use of lands on the Royal Basseterre Valley National Park more commonly known as the Aquifer, to host the Ministry of Agriculture’s Annual Open Day.
- Hosting of a National Validation Workshop geared towards the possibility of adding Electric Vehicles (EVs) to the Government’s fleet of vehicles.
- Waiver of land cost at La Guerite for residents
- Launch of the Annual National Community Christmas Clean-up Project.
- Installation of plastic recycle bins at various schools.
- Equipping officers in the Department of Constituency Empowerment with uniforms and tools necessary to conduct their work in the field.
- Purchase of 2 new tractors for the Department of Agriculture.
- 20 Farmers are better equipped to mitigate the challenges posed by the effects of climate change following an official rainwater harvesting and irrigation equipment.
- Addition of the Public Market 869ToGo.com facilitating the online purchase of local fruits and vegetables (https://orders.caribtogo.com/menu/agrimarket)
- The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and Southern University in Louisiana, USA, that will lead to significant benefits for the Federation in the fields of higher education and agriculture.
- MOU between Ross University & Ministry Health & Agriculture intended to foster and sustain a collaborative relationship between the Ministries and RUSVM to further scientific research and improve the standards of public health in the Federation and throughout the Caribbean region.
- Upgrades to the Old Road Fisheries Complex.
- Green House Village Project (35 Greenhouses at Brotherson)
- Hattery Project at Bayfords’
- Drugs… (Amendment) Act, 2023.
- Smoking (Designated Areas) Act, 2023.
- Cannabis (Amendment) Act, 2023.
- Medical (Amendment) Act, 2023.
- New well discovery with potable water in Cayon.
- St. Kitts Electricity Company Ltd (SKELEC) Amended Power Purchase (PPA) with SOLEC for the largest solar PV and battery project in the Caribbean.
- Groundbreaking for the first Solar Powered Desalination Plant donated to the Federation by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- Commissioning of a new well in Cayon.
- The launch of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Sustainable Agriculture For Everyone (SAFE) program –
This initiative is part of the government’s 25 by 25 agenda, which aims to increase food production by 25% by the year 2025. Backyard gardeners will receive seedlings like banana, plantain, and coconut plants to plant in their backyard.
Pilot Project with Tabasco International, to cultivate Tabasco peppers for global distribution. This initiative is set to utilize 100 acres of arable land and is projected to create over 300 jobs, providing a significant boost to local employment and agricultural productivity.