Minister Josephine Connolly details plans for Tourism, Agriculture and more in 2023 Budget 

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, May 23, 2023 – An extensive suite of projects have been budgeted for agriculture and tourism as the government renews its commitment to breathe new life into both sectors despite their current size.

Minister of Tourism Josephine Connoly updated on these plans and those slated for other departments under her Ministry during her budget debate contribution on May 18th.

She received over $18 Million in the new budget, which includes $5 Million in capital projects which number a dozen, according to Connolly when contributing to debate last Thursday.

Agriculture 

Under the food security agenda consultants have been brought in to assess the National Agriculture Policy and are already in the country preparing for public consultation. Underway too is an agricultural survey to help the department increase backyard farming and enlarge existing farms.

“We have to be resolute to work together to create a future for ourselves and our children.” Connolly said.

Also coming in this financial year is a new online platform for agriculture to receive review and make decisions on all applications re agriculture which Connolly said would “improve efficiency and remove delay.”

Amendments will be made to the animal and plant health ordinances and the dog and animal control ordinances and a brand new veterinary clinic will be established.

An all new Business in a Box initiative is also set for this year and will provide specific individuals with the necessary tools for their very own hydroponic backyard farms and offer continued support and guidance throughout the process. It is a pilot project that will spread throughout the country if successful.

“It is the goal of the ministry that every household will have a backyard garden and can grow their own leafy vegetables and harvest their own eggs. This will be an agriculture revolution.” she promised.

The Environment 

A new Private Public Partnership to take care of stray animals has been approved and with cash and technical support from Darwin Plus.

In addition the TCI has built its first marine laboratory and will commission it on May 23rd.

“This would be the first center of excellence for marine and fisheries research in the Caribbean

and it will be named the Clifford Leroy Brooks Fisheries and Marine Laboratory on May

23 rd , in memory of one of the most dedicated and committed individuals to the Fisheries

Sector in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” she explained.

Connolly said it is the only one of its kind in the British overseas territories.

Connolly addressed the find of a raccoon in the country confirming they had arrived as stowaways on a boat into the country. Other biohazards stopped at the ports this past year include an Ostrich egg, 8000 kg of prohibited plants, 300 duck eggs and a dozen other unknown species eggs.

Culture 

Connolly vowed to work with schools and the Ministry of Education to keep the Turks and Caicos’ cultural heritage intact and passed on to the country’s youth

Tourism 

The Destination management Organization was a major topic during her speech and Connolly maintained that it was disingenuous of the Opposition Leader Edwin Astwood to question the DMO in the budget when he had had his questions answered in a meeting with consultants. She stressed that the hiring process would be fair and transparent and had a message for her detractors as well.

“The creation of the DMO has been a long journey, a journey that we knew we had to undertake if we are to secure the future of the tourism industry and I am not saying this, because the Premier told me to say it.” She maintained

Also coming this year is the opening of the North Caicos Promenade; $750,000 to upgrade Bambarra Beach;  $500,000 for Horse Stable Beach and $1 million for a Sapodilla Bay Vendors Markets.

Religion 

Finally in the realm of religion partnerships with the faith based ministries continue and new programs for church involvement for inmates and in schools are being organized.