Chinese Ambassador to the Bahamas Yan Jiarong pays a courtesy visit to Bahamian MP Jomo Campbell

Nassau, Bahamas: The Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, His Excellency Jomo Campbell, met with the Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas, His Excellency Yan Jiarong, at the Ministry’s One Montague headquarters to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss technical support between the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources.

Minister Campbell was joined by Permanent Secretary Neil Campbell, Director of the Department of Agriculture Dion Gibson and Director of the Department of Marine Resources Gregory Bethell.

Topics discussed during the courtesy visit included continued technical support from the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre (GRAC), scholarship opportunities and pilot projects on agricultural projects such as rice and sea cucumber on the Family Islands.

“We are very interested in expanding our offerings into rice farming. We want to start rice production soon because rice is a staple food for Bahamians. Almost every Sunday, rice is part of our diet and it is one of the highest imported foods. So, if we can achieve that, it will be a great benefit,” Minister Campbell said.

“We want to determine which islands are best for growing rice. Another island might be better for growing other fruits and vegetables,” Minister Campbell continued.

“China is very willing to help the Bahamas develop rice production because China’s rice farming industry is very developed. Hunan is the province with the most developed rice farming industry. Maybe they can send one or two experts to discuss how to carry out this work,” Ambassador Yan said.

Director Bethel said part of the government’s food security policy is to develop aquaculture to strengthen its blue economy.

“The Marine Resources Agency continues to view sea cucumbers as a valuable marine resource,” said Director Bethell.

“Looking forward, we believe it would be in our best interest to establish a pilot project that can serve as a model to demonstrate the potential for development and commercialization of aquaculture and mariculture. There is a lot of interest in sea cucumbers,” Director Bethel continued.

Minister Campbell added that sea cucumber research and rice cultivation are very important to the ministry.

“These initiatives have inspired many Bahamians,” Minister Campbell said.