标签: Saint Kitts and Nevis

圣基茨和尼维斯

  • Nationals of 12 countries left hantavirus cruise in St Helena: WHO

    Nationals of 12 countries left hantavirus cruise in St Helena: WHO

    What is presented here is an incomplete structural snippet pulled from a Lebanese news aggregation platform that organizes content across multiple topical and geographic beats. The platform’s navigation menu outlines its full range of coverage, including breaking developments on the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, global world news, updates from across Lebanon, Middle East regional reporting, analysis of Lebanon’s struggling domestic economy, technology and culture features, sports coverage, curated press highlights, and general news bulletin reports. Below the navigation framework, a partial dataset lists major administrative regions of Lebanon alongside corresponding numerical values: Beirut at 22, Bekaa at 20, Keserwan at 23, Metn at 23, Mount Lebanon at 20, North Lebanon at 22, and South Lebanon at 22. No additional context is provided to explain what these numerical values represent, though they align closely with common daily temperature readings in degrees Celsius recorded across Lebanese regions throughout much of the year. The incomplete snippet does not contain a full, coherent news story, only the structural outline and partial regional data entry.

  • A Defining Moment in the History of Women’s Cricket in the West Indies

    A Defining Moment in the History of Women’s Cricket in the West Indies

    Half a century after West Indies women’s cricket stepped onto the global stage for the first time, Cricket West Indies is honoring the trailblazing team that changed the sport forever in the Caribbean. In a formal statement released Thursday 7 May 2026, CWI President Dr. The Hon. Kishore Shallow commemorated the 50th anniversary of the West Indies Women’s team’s first official international fixture, played against Australia in 1976.

    That opening encounter was far more than just the first match of a bilateral series. It marked the formal arrival of West Indies women in international cricket, kicking off a legacy that continues to motivate young female athletes across the region to this day. Captained by pioneer Louise Browne, who had the historic distinction of facing the first ball for the side, the 1976 team embodied remarkable grit, perseverance and self-belief at a time when competitive opportunities for women in cricket were severely restricted across the globe.

    The groundwork laid by that founding group has grown into one of the most successful women’s cricket programs in international sport. From those humble, barrier-breaking early days, West Indies Women have gone on to claim World Cup titles and compete consistently as one of the top teams in global women’s cricket. That steady progress is a direct reflection of the vision and relentless determination of the athletes who first pushed for recognition 50 years ago.

    “As we mark this major milestone, Cricket West Indies continues to honor the enduring legacy of these pioneers,” Shallow said. “Their work broke down long-standing barriers for female cricketers, created clear pathways for future generations, and carved out a permanent, proud chapter in the entire history of West Indies cricket. Their contributions remain the foundation of every success our women’s team achieves today.”

    This report was carried via SKNVibes.com, which published the statement in the form received from Cricket West Indies.

  • CPL teams confirm their Breakout Player retentions

    CPL teams confirm their Breakout Player retentions

    With the 2026 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) player draft just around the corner, every one of the tournament’s six competing franchises has officially locked in their mandatory pre-draft Breakout Player selections, securing six of the Caribbean’s most promising emerging cricket talents poised to shape the next era of regional cricket.

    Under the 2026 CPL player acquisition and draft regulations, every franchise was granted just one pre-draft retention slot, which is reserved exclusively for a player already classified as a Breakout Player on their roster. The six retained athletes — Joshua James, Ramon Simmonds, Quentin Sampson, Navin Bidaisee, Ackeem Auguste, and Nathan Edward — have all caught the attention of selectors and fans alike through standout performances, demonstrated untapped potential, and growing influence across domestic and regional cricket competitions across the Caribbean.

    The full list of retained Breakout Players by franchise is as follows: Joshua James will remain with the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, Ramon Simmonds has been retained by Barbados Royals, Quentin Sampson will stay with Guyana Amazon Warriors, Navin Bidaisee is locked in with St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Ackeem Auguste will remain on Saint Lucia Kings’ roster, and Nathan Edward has been retained by Trinbago Knight Riders.

    To advance the league’s longstanding goal of nurturing homegrown talent, each franchise is required to carry three Breakout Players in their final 2026 match squad. This mandate is further enforced by a rule requiring every team to field at least one Breakout Player in every regular and postseason match throughout the entire season, ensuring young up-and-coming cricketers get meaningful high-level game time on the Caribbean’s biggest professional cricket platform.

    Now that all pre-draft Breakout Player retentions are finalized, all remaining open squad slots across the six franchises will be filled during the upcoming CPL Draft, which organizers and fans are already tipping to become one of the most competitive and highly anticipated player selection events in the league’s history.

    As the Caribbean’s premier professional T20 cricket competition, the CPL has built a reputation as a unique event that blends elite-level sporting entertainment with a structured, proven development pathway that prepares young regional players to compete and succeed at the international global cricket stage.

  • St. Kitts and Nevis Club Lebanon Distributes Humanitarian Food Boxes to Families Displaced by the Conflict in Lebanon

    St. Kitts and Nevis Club Lebanon Distributes Humanitarian Food Boxes to Families Displaced by the Conflict in Lebanon

    BEIRUT, Lebanon – May 7, 2026 – As ongoing conflict continues to uproot thousands of families across Lebanon and push vulnerable communities deeper into crisis, a community organization with ties to the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis has stepped up to deliver critical relief to those most in need. The St. Kitts and Nevis Club Lebanon (SKN Club Lebanon), a group uniting citizens and friends of the twin-island nation based in Lebanon, has launched an expanded humanitarian initiative distributing pre-packed food boxes filled with essential goods to households displaced by the country’s prolonged instability.

    For months, thousands of Lebanese families have endured the upheaval of forced displacement, with countless people fleeing their homes to escape active conflict zones. Cut off from regular access to basic supplies and facing growing economic uncertainty, many displaced households struggle to put enough food on the table each day, placing immense strain on local humanitarian response networks. It is against this backdrop of unmet need that SKN Club Lebanon launched its latest relief effort, organized entirely by the group’s volunteer members to target the most vulnerable communities across affected regions.

    Each food box distributed through the initiative contains approximately 30 carefully selected staple food and household items, chosen to meet the daily needs of an entire family for multiple weeks. The aid packages include core staples such as rice, lentils, whole grains, pasta, canned goods, cooking oil, dried soup mixes, cheese, bread and other basic necessities, designed to ease at least a portion of the daily burden facing displaced and low-income households.

    Families that received the food assistance have expressed deep gratitude for the support, describing the donation as a meaningful lifeline at a time marked by pervasive hardship, uncertainty and displacement. Many recipients noted that the aid arrived at a moment when their financial resources had been exhausted by the conflict, making the gesture particularly impactful.

    In a statement accompanying the launch of the initiative, Ibrahim Serhan, President of SKN Club Lebanon, outlined the core humanitarian values driving the group’s work. “Every food box we distribute serves a family that is navigating displacement, uncertainty and emotional strain brought on by the conditions so many Lebanese people are enduring today,” Serhan said. “This effort reflects our deep, unwavering commitment to families displaced by the ongoing conflict and to vulnerable communities caught in this humanitarian crisis.”

    Serhan emphasized that the initiative aligns with both the universal humanitarian values enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the long-held national values of St. Kitts and Nevis, a nation widely recognized for its commitment to international solidarity, compassion, respect for human dignity, peaceful coexistence and support for communities facing crisis. “While no single humanitarian initiative can resolve the deep, systemic challenges that conflict has brought to Lebanon, every act of solidarity matters. These small acts of support help preserve hope for families that have lost so much,” Serhan added.

    He extended sincere thanks to the volunteers, individual donors and partner organizations that made the initiative possible, noting that their collective participation highlights the critical power of community cooperation during periods of widespread crisis. “We continue to hold out hope that the current conflict affecting Lebanon and the wider region will be resolved through peaceful dialogue, that delivers lasting stability, security, dignity and well-being for all communities across the country,” Serhan said.

    The food distribution effort marks the latest in a series of humanitarian engagements by SKN Club Lebanon, which has consistently prioritized support for vulnerable populations during Lebanon’s ongoing crisis. The initiative also underscores the vital role that grassroots, community-led humanitarian action plays in filling gaps in formal relief efforts, helping vulnerable families cope with the overlapping humanitarian and economic fallout of the country’s prolonged conflict.

    Founded to unite citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis and their friends residing in Lebanon, SKN Club Lebanon works to foster cultural connection, community unity and collective humanitarian action, guided by core values of compassion, solidarity and respect for human dignity. Through targeted charitable initiatives and community programs, the group works to deliver tangible support to vulnerable populations across Lebanon during periods of crisis.

  • Independent candidates begin Positioning ahead of possible election call

    Independent candidates begin Positioning ahead of possible election call

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – As speculation mounts that St. Kitts and Nevis will call a general election before the end of 2026, two would-be independent candidates have stepped out of political obscurity to launch their campaigns, challenging well-established incumbent representatives from major parties.

    Media reports circulating this week confirm that Henry Marsham and Kurtisse Caines have publicly announced their plans to contest parliamentary seats in the upcoming vote. While SKNVibes.com has not independently verified an unconfirmed flyer shared widely across social media platforms, the document indicates Caines will aim to unseat former Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris in Constituency Seven.

    For his part, Marsham, an overseas-based health professional, is set to face off against incumbent Agriculture Minister Samal Duggins, the sitting St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party representative for Constituency Four. In a recent interview on WINN FM’s current affairs program *Inside the News*, Marsham laid out his motivation for entering the race: a widespread sense of neglect among constituents, who he says are abandoned by elected officials immediately after polling day.

    “Once they get elected, we don’t see them, and this cycle has to stop,” Marsham stated. “There is a great deal of unaddressed need in Constituency Number Four, and that is one of the core reasons I made the decision to run.” He added that his years of leadership experience and professional background in health care uniquely equip him to deliver tangible results for his constituency, noting that empty political promises from major party candidates have left voters disillusioned. “Too much empty promises,” he emphasized. “I’m putting my hat in the ring to win this seat, work for the people of Constituency Four, and serve all the people of St. Kitts and Nevis broadly.”

    A key draw of running as an independent candidate, Marsham explained, is the ideological flexibility it affords. “I chose to run independently because I want the flexibility to work across political lines and focus on context-specific solutions rather than rigid party priorities,” he said. He has also confirmed that he will relocate back to the Federation full time to serve his constituency if he wins the vote.

    Not all political observers are optimistic about the independents’ chances, however. Veteran regional political analyst Peter Wickham argues that independent candidates face a steep uphill climb in the Federation’s established two-party political system. When asked if he believed the candidates could pull off an electoral win, Wickham responded bluntly: “I don’t think they will.”

    Wickham noted that while a small number of independent candidates have won legislative seats across the Caribbean region, these victories are extremely uncommon, and almost always tied to one-of-a-kind local political circumstances. In St. Kitts and Nevis specifically, dozens of independent hopefuls have launched campaigns over the decades, but very few have managed to meaningfully disrupt the dominance of the country’s major established political parties. Despite this expert analysis, Marsham remains undeterred in his bid to upend the status quo for Constituency Four voters.

  • Internal fighting across Africa continues to destabilize the region

    Internal fighting across Africa continues to destabilize the region

    In a stark press briefing from United Nations Headquarters in New York, senior UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric has renewed global warnings over the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian landscape driven by persistent internal conflicts spanning multiple African nations. The ongoing violence has sent death tolls climbing, forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes, and stretched already overburdened local and international aid agencies to their breaking point.

    The crisis in Sudan remains one of the most pressing emergencies, Dujarric confirmed. Recurrent drone strikes targeting critical infrastructure in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, have paralyzed core humanitarian operations. Just one day after drone attacks targeted Khartoum’s airport and surrounding urban areas, all incoming and outgoing flights remain suspended — a major disruption given the airport’s central role in moving aid workers and life-saving supplies into the country. Dujarric noted that the UN’s on-the-ground team has already resettled in Khartoum to coordinate relief efforts, but the persistent attacks have blocked their ability to deliver support to vulnerable populations.

    Further south in Sudan’s White Nile State, fresh drone strikes hit multiple locations in the city of Kosti, including two fuel stations located in a crowded commercial district, just one day after another fuel station and tanker were hit in the area. The strikes have caused an unconfirmed number of civilian casualties and knocked out critical basic services for local residents. In North Darfur’s El Fasher, the security situation continues to spiral downward: new data from the International Organization for Migration shows that more than 138,000 civilians have fled El Fasher and surrounding rural villages between October 2025 and March 2026 alone, joining the millions of already displaced people across the country.

    Against this backdrop, the UN is reiterating its core demands for all warring parties: an immediate ceasefire, full protection for civilians and civilian infrastructure, and unimpeded, fast access for aid convoys to reach communities in need. “We continue to call for an immediate stop to the fighting; for civilians and civilian infrastructure to be protected, and not be targeted; and for aid to be allowed to reach people swiftly, safely, and without any obstruction,” Dujarric told reporters.

    In the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ituri Province, UN-led humanitarian negotiations have scored a small, long-awaited victory: after months of blocked access caused by surging violence, aid groups have been able to resume life-saving food distributions at the Plaine Savo displacement camp, where more than 71,000 displaced people are sheltering. This marks the first large-scale food delivery to the site since December 2025, when a wave of armed clashes cut off all access to the camp. Ahead of the delivery, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Bruno Lemarquis and OCHA Ituri head Carla Martinez traveled to the camp to meet with displaced families, local leaders, and aid partners to assess on-the-ground conditions, and called on all armed and state actors to guarantee permanent safe access for aid groups.

    Even with the resumption of food aid, the situation in Plaine Savo remains dire. Clashes continue to flare in surrounding areas, leaving displaced families facing acute hunger and constant danger. Local reports confirm that at least 21 displaced residents have been killed since December 2025 while venturing into nearby fields to search for food, underscoring the deadly risk civilians face even within camp perimeters.

    The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, has stepped in to support conflict-affected communities beyond humanitarian aid, recently assisting hundreds of people caught in recent armed clashes and escorting final-year secondary students to sit their national exams. At the request of school administrators, 200 students from three schools in Gina, Djugu territory — the site of recent deadly armed clashes between groups including the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CRP) — were escorted by peacekeepers to the provincial capital of Bunia to take their exams. MONUSCO peacekeepers also rescued nearly 200 civilians trapped under CRP fire during the recent violence. After exams conclude on May 7, the students will be escorted back to Gina under armed guard.

    To the north in Mali, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is sounding the alarm over a sharp spike in coordinated attacks across multiple towns and cities carried out last week. The attacks caused heavy civilian casualties and forced hundreds of additional families to flee their homes, with more civilian deaths reported in follow-up clashes over the weekend. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for an immediate end to all hostilities, urging all parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect civilian lives and critical infrastructure. Malian authorities have launched an official investigation into the attacks, which took place between April 25 and 26 2026.

  • Young track stars shine as Team Nevis claims victory  at the Inter-Island Primary Athletics Championships

    Young track stars shine as Team Nevis claims victory at the Inter-Island Primary Athletics Championships

    After a six-year break from competitive inter-island youth sports, the St. Kitts and Nevis Inter-Island Primary Athletics Championship made its triumphant return on May 3, hosted at the state-of-the-art Mondo Track at Nevis Athletic Stadium. Co-organized by SKN Athletics and the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), the long-awaited event drew crowds of enthusiastic track fans and set the stage for the federation’s most promising young primary school athletes to test their skill, speed and grit against their peers from across the two islands.

    The competition spanned four age divisions, from Under-9 through Under-13, giving rising male and female athletes the chance to compete for individual and team glory across a full slate of track events. When the final race crossed the finish line, Team Nevis claimed the overall championship title, turning in a dominant performance that earned the squad 19 gold medals, 14 silver medals, and 10 bronze medals. Team St. Kitts turned in a strong showing of their own, racking up 15 golds, 20 silvers, and 16 bronzes to cement the tight, competitive nature of the meet.

    Two young standouts earned the highest individual honors of the championship. Roné Isles, a rising star from Team Nevis, secured the title of Victrix Ludorum for her extraordinary multi-event performance. Isles claimed three individual gold medals in the Girls Under-13 400m, Girls Under-13 800m, and Girls Open 1200m, before adding two more gold medals as a key member of the winning Girls Under-13 4x100m and Girls Open 4x400m relay squads. Calvert Gift of Team St. Kitts took home the Victor Ludorum title for his own exceptional performances across the meet.

    Hon. Senator Troy Liburd, Nevis Island Administration’s Minister of Education and Youth, joined a wave of public praise for all competing athletes after the event. “On Sunday we celebrated not just a victory, but the power of teamwork, perseverance, and national pride,” Liburd said in his address following the championship. He extended formal congratulations to Team Nevis on their overall win, noting that the result stood as a testament to the relentless dedication of the young athletes, their coaches, and supportive families who nurture growth both on and off the track. “Your collective effort has made the entire Federation proud. Well done, Team Nevis- your success inspires us all,” he added.

    Liburd also made a point to celebrate Team St. Kitts’ strong competitive showing, emphasizing that the sportsmanship, mutual respect, and athletic excellence on display throughout the championship perfectly embodied the unifying spirit of healthy competition that the event was built to foster. The championship’s return has already reignited widespread excitement for youth track and field across the federation, with fans and organizers looking ahead to the next installment of the inter-island competition.

  • Young Track Stars Shine as Team Nevis Claims Victory at Inter-Island Primary Athletics Championships

    Young Track Stars Shine as Team Nevis Claims Victory at Inter-Island Primary Athletics Championships

    After a six-year pause that left young track and field enthusiasts across St. Kitts and Nevis waiting for top-level inter-island youth competition, the St. Kitts and Nevis Inter-Island Primary Athletics Championships made its triumphant return on May 3, 2026. Hosted at Nevis’ state-of-the-art Mondo Track at the Nevis Athletic Stadium by SKN Athletics and the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), the 2026 edition delivered three days of thrilling competition that ended with Team Nevis securing the overall championship title, with congratulations flooding in from across the federation for the young rising stars.

    Athletes from the primary school systems of both Nevis and St. Kitts, ranging in age groups from Under-9 to Under-13, took to the track to test their speed, endurance and competitive grit against the best young talent in the country. For many of the young competitors, this marked their first experience of a large-scale inter-island sporting event, bringing a electric energy to the stadium that was felt by athletes, coaches, and packed crowds of supporters.

    When the final race was run and all points were tallied, Team Nevis claimed victory with a dominant medal haul: 19 gold medals, 14 silver medals, and 10 bronze medals. Team St. Kitts turned in a standout performance of their own, finishing with 15 gold, 20 silver, and 16 bronze medals, showcasing the depth of young athletic talent across both islands.

    Several young athletes delivered career-defining performances to earn top individual honors. Roné Isles, a rising middle-distance star from Team Nevis, was named the meet’s Victrix Ludorum (top female athlete) after an unprecedented five gold medal finish. Isles took individual gold in the Girls Under-13 400m, Girls Under-13 800m, and Girls Open 1200m, before adding two more gold medals as a key member of the winning Girls Under-13 4x100m relay and Girls Open 4x400m relay teams. The Victor Ludorum title for top male athlete went to Calvert Gift of Team St. Kitts, who also turned in a series of impressive performances across his events.

    Hon. Senator Troy Liburd, NIA’s Minister of Education and Youth, was among the first public officials to congratulate the winning team, praising not just the final result but the values the competition fostered for young people across the country. “On Sunday we celebrated not just a victory, but the power of teamwork, perseverance, and national pride,” Liburd said in official remarks following the meet. “I extend heartfelt congratulations to Team Nevis on their outstanding victory at the St. Kitts and Nevis Inter-Island Primary Athletics Championship.”

    “This achievement is a testament to the dedication, discipline, and resilience of our student athletes, the unwavering commitment of their coaches, and the steadfast support of parents who continue to nurture excellence both on and off the field. Your collective effort has made the entire Federation proud. Well done, Team Nevis- your success inspires us all,” Liburd added.

    The minister also extended praise to Team St. Kitts for their strong competitive showing, noting that the mutual respect and good sportsmanship on display throughout the championship embodied the core values that the event was designed to promote. “The sportsmanship and athletic excellence displayed throughout the meet embodied the true spirit of unity and healthy competition that defines the games,” he said.

    The return of the inter-island primary championship after six years has been widely hailed as a critical milestone for developing youth athletics in St. Kitts and Nevis, giving promising young athletes a platform to showcase their skills and build experience ahead of future national and regional competitions. Organizers have confirmed that the event will return on an annual basis moving forward, continuing the tradition of fostering the next generation of track and field talent across the federation.

  • Caribbean POSH Marks a Decade of Elevating Caribbean Women—Nominations Now Open

    Caribbean POSH Marks a Decade of Elevating Caribbean Women—Nominations Now Open

    Against the backdrop of global Female Founders Month celebrations, a transformative regional movement is marking a major milestone: Caribbean POSH, the pioneering network dedicated to lifting up Caribbean women at home and across the global diaspora, is celebrating a full decade of driving visibility, connection, and recognition for female leaders across the Caribbean.

    Founded by visionary leader Janette Brin, the organization grew from a simple but urgent observation: Caribbean women building businesses, innovating across sectors, and leading community change were systematically overlooked, lacking accessible networks and mainstream recognition for their work. What began as a small initiative to fill that gap has evolved into a dynamic, cross-border movement that unites women across dozens of island nations and diaspora communities around the world. Through intentional storytelling, curated professional and community events, and targeted strategic opportunities, Caribbean POSH has broken down geographic barriers that long isolated female innovators across the region.

    “From its very start, Caribbean POSH existed to make sure Caribbean women are seen, supported, and positioned to lead on the global stage,” Brin shared in reflecting on the organization’s 10-year journey. “What we’ve built over the past decade is far more than an annual gathering. It’s a thriving community where collaboration grows, unheard stories are lifted up, and the impact of Caribbean women’s work can no longer be ignored.”

    This year’s landmark anniversary celebration will center on the annual Caribbean POSH Weekend and ICON Woman Awards, which organizers say will be the most impactful iteration in the program’s history. The 2026 event will highlight how far the movement has come: today, Caribbean women are no longer building their ventures and initiatives in isolation, but working collectively to reshape global perceptions of the region and drive inclusive economic and social progress.

    Over the past 10 years, Caribbean POSH’s impact has stretched across three core areas: amplifying underrepresented Caribbean women’s voices on both regional and international stages, fostering cross-island and cross-border collaboration between on-island leaders and diaspora communities, and building intentional spaces for recognition, professional connection, and leadership development. As global conversations about gender equity, female representation, and equitable global influence continue to expand, Caribbean POSH has emerged as a leading voice reshaping narratives about the Caribbean: framing the region not as a peripheral economic player, but as a hub of excellence, innovation, and collective female power.

    To cap off the anniversary year, Caribbean POSH has officially opened public nominations for the 2026 ICON Woman Awards, inviting community members across the globe to put forward exceptional Caribbean women making meaningful contributions across four key areas: business, leadership, creative industries, and community impact. Organizers frame nominations themselves as a critical act of recognition, creating an opportunity to lift up women whose transformative work has yet to receive the regional and global celebration it deserves.

    Nominees are evaluated based on three core criteria: demonstrated leadership and innovation in their chosen field, measurable positive impact within their local or regional communities, and a public embodiment of the strength, resilience, and excellence that defines Caribbean female leadership. Interested nominators can submit entries through the official Caribbean POSH website at https://caribbeanposh.com/wkd/icon-awards-2026/.

    Today, Caribbean POSH operates as a multi-platform ecosystem dedicated to advancing its core mission of elevating Caribbean women through increased visibility, expanded professional opportunity, and cross-community connection. Beyond its annual flagship weekend and awards program, the organization runs digital media initiatives and ongoing community programming that works year-round to position Caribbean women as influential, essential contributors to global business, culture, and innovation.

  • Deputy Premier, Honourable Eric Evelyn Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources, Lands, Natural Resources, et al. Nevis Island Administration Agriculture Awareness Month 2026 Address

    Deputy Premier, Honourable Eric Evelyn Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources, Lands, Natural Resources, et al. Nevis Island Administration Agriculture Awareness Month 2026 Address

    Nevis, May 5, 2026 – Deputy Premier Eric Evelyn, who also serves as Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources, Lands, and Natural Resources for the Nevis Island Administration, has officially opened the 14th annual Agriculture Awareness Month, marking the initiative’s 13-year legacy since its launch in 2013.

    Since its inception, the month-long event has held three core objectives: shining a public spotlight on agriculture’s foundational role in Nevis’ ongoing development, highlighting the sector’s major recent progress, boosting morale among agricultural ministry staff, and strengthening collaborative ties between the Department of Agriculture, industry partners, working farmers, and the broader Nevis community. A key ongoing priority of the campaign that will be amplified again this year is encouraging local residents to embrace the mantra of “eat what we grow, grow what we eat” to strengthen local food systems.

    This year’s observance builds on the overwhelming success of the 30th iteration of the Nevis Agri Expo, the sub-region’s leading agricultural showcase held March 26–27, 2026. With uniformly positive feedback from attendees and participants across the two-day event, organizers say Agriculture Awareness Month is designed to extend that momentum into sustained industry advancement.

    The 2026 campaign centers on the theme “Rooted In History, Utilizing Land and Sea”, which reflects the sector’s deep ties to Nevis’ national identity. Agriculture was a core pillar of Nevis’ early economic growth, and the modern industry has evolved steadily to retain its outsized importance for the island’s continued development today. The theme also underscores the dual focus of this year’s activities: maximizing the potential of Nevis’ two critical agricultural resources – terrestrial land and coastal marine ecosystems.

    Evelyn emphasized that sustainable, climate-smart management of limited land resources is now a non-negotiable priority for the sector. As land becomes increasingly scarce, he noted that responsible land use, paired with integrated modern technology, is essential to boosting optimal yields for both crop and livestock production. Equally important, he added, is the science-based management of marine resources, which provide critical dietary protein for Nevisians and support livelihoods for hundreds of local fishers. Sustained, conservation-focused practices are required to maintain and grow healthy marine stocks for future generations, he said.

    The 2026 Agriculture Awareness Month kicked off with an opening church service on May 3 at Charlestown’s Wesleyan Holiness Church, with organizers extending thanks to the congregation for their warm hospitality and blessing for the month’s activities. A full slate of community and industry-focused events will run through the end of May:
    – May 13: A collaborative training workshop on sweet potato weevil management, hosted in partnership with the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)
    – May 18–22: Enhancement and improvement works for Charlestown’s Memorial Square
    – May 20: Two concurrent events – a technical workshop on small ruminant management, and an open house hosted by the Vet and Livestock Division
    – May 26–29: Free distribution of fruit trees and seedlings to local residents
    – May 6–29: A special discounted promotion for commercial farmers and backyard gardeners on biostimulants and select seed varieties

    Evelyn urged all local farmers to take advantage of the training opportunities and participate actively in the month’s activities, extending well wishes to all stakeholders ahead of the observance. “During this Agriculture Awareness Month, let us continue to build on the gains we have made in the agriculture sector. Let us continue our food security drive. Let us support local, let us eat local,” he said, closing with a blessing for the industry, its workers, and the island of Nevis.

    This report is based on an official press release distributed to local media outlet SKNVibes.com, which published the address in its original unedited form.