Agriculture in the VI

Hello David,

The sites you have read that indicate a majority of food products being shipped to the USVI is true, we are very dependent on food being brought in... for everything being brought in really... cloths, oil, cars, food, soap, shampoo, notebooks, wood... almost everything sold here is brought in... with the exception perhaps of some crafts, fish and a small number of ground provisions.

I would say overall the cattle farms on St. Croix are the largest form of an agricultural business.... then the farmers that grown herbs (theme, basil, peppers...) and provisions (pigeon peas, yams, pumpkin....) then the farmers that have other small livestock - goats, chickens... none of these farms produce sufficient quanities to make the islands self sufficient for ground foods.

Fishing is an livelihood for a small community of fishermen.

St. Croix has more agricultural persuits then any of the three other USVI islands... and yes they were experimenting with hydroponics at the argriculture research station that is part of the university of the virgin islands St. Croix campus.

Here is what the CIA Bureau of Statistics says about the USVI ecomony...

Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, support construction projects in the private sector, expand tourist facilities, reduce crime, and protect the environment.

The labor force was divided as follows
agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.)

For more information on hydroponics on St. Croix try
http://rps.uvi.edu/AES/Aquaculture/aquaponics.html

--Islander

Islander -

Thanks for your response and the UVI link. You've answered my questions very well (including one I asked under the "Industry - agriculture" topic while you were busy answering this one) 🙂

While I can see a number of challenges to making Ag in the VI a viable industry, they appear to be surmountable with effort and creativity. I would expect the economic benefits to be significant at several levels as well. It seems like something worth exploring further.

Excellent thread.

My first time in the islands,the biggest shock was the cost of food.

Is there still a "Beef" island,even if by another name?

Perhaps there is a business for someone raising steers,pigs, and chickens, and cutting,wrapping,and freezing the meats to sell in bulk to people(including chefs at restaurants) with chest freezers?

David...

No, the farm in Coral Bay is not the only farm... but I think you gathered this from my other post.

As for things grown, some are grown more then others;
yams, potatos, pigeon peas, lettuce, tomatoes, pumpkin, sugar cane, dasheen, peanuts (I knew only a couple people that grew peanuts), peppers of various types, larger fruit treess like Mangos, papaya, sugar apple, soursop... herbs like theme, basil, rosemary... had a couple folks that had bees - and sold fresh honey.

Most of the people on St. Thomas that have small farms are older generation folks of the French community and the Rastafarians of the west end... the farming is in the soil. They sell their produce at local markets... not grocery stores although the Fruit Bowl on St. Thomas often will buy from local farmers to sell... many set up a little booth roadside and sell their fresh produce that way.

As for groups...

St. Croix:
Agriculture Research Station - (340)778-1312
Farm Service Agency (340)773-9146
Local Government Agriculture Office - (340)778-0997

St. John
(340)776-6274

St. Thomas
Local Government Agriculture Office (340)774-5182
Agriculture Office (340)776-2787

Here is a Dept. Of Agriculture site, not sure if its current but has some info..
http://www.usvi.org/agriculture/

Here is some info. I found on $$ alloted for research.
http://www.griffin.peachnet.edu/sare/states/USVI.pdf

You can find the St. Croix Agriculture Research Web Site at
http://rps.uvi.edu/AES/aes_home.html
on this site there is a link to aquaculture where there is a list with contact information for the researchers/professors - perhaps contact them for details (yes it is still active). there are also articles written about their research and agriculture on St. Croix. I think you will find much information at this site.

Hope this information helps.

--Islander

WOW -- Thanks for the information. I'm impressed. I imagine I'll be a while following up on this but I greatly appreciate your effort. Thanks again.

You are welcome - glad to provide the assistance and information!! If you find out any interesting information while you are following up be sure to share it... others might be interested in this topic also - maybe just did not ask.

--Islander