Inspired by the 25 by 25 project, a farmer with 40 years of farming experience grows watermelons for the first time

(Basseterre, St. Kitts MOA): Andy Caines, an experienced agriculturist in Conari, proudly embarked on a new journey, growing watermelons for the first time in his forty years of farming.

He said his decision to grow watermelon, after decades of growing cassava, pigeon pea, okra and pumpkin, was largely influenced by the Ministry of Agriculture’s ongoing crop production program as part of the St. Kitts Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources’ 25 by 25 agenda. The ambitious program aims to reduce the country’s food import bill by 25 percent by 2025, encouraging local farmers to explore and grow new crops using more climate-resilient and sustainable farming methods to increase crop yields on the island.

In a recent interview with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Media and Communications department, Cairns revealed that as part of the initiative, the ministry provided him with 1,200 high-quality watermelon seedlings, drip irrigation tools and plastic mulch, commonly known as ground cover, to ensure he had the resources he needed to successfully launch this new endeavor. This was also the first time he had used such materials on his farm.

He said: “This is my first time using a mat and also my first time growing watermelons because I agreed to participate in the 25 x 25 program so I need to grow watermelons, so I will continue to grow watermelons. The benefits of the mat are that it uses less water, no weeding, and less labor because before I used it, I needed to weed for three or four days before I could start harvesting.”

Cairns, who also holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, added that the move provided him with the opportunity to grow nearly 10,000 pounds of watermelon.

As crop grower Andy Cairns begins a new chapter, his success symbolizes the growth and transformation potential of the agricultural sector, while also highlighting how the 25×25 Agenda initiative is moving food producers closer to achieving the Government’s goal of creating a more sustainable and self-sufficient food system in St. Kitts and Nevis.