By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister says he will hold talks with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) on providing "sector-wide" hurricane insurance for Bahamian farmers and fishermen.

Michael Pintard, minister of agriculture and fisheries, who is presently in Barbados attending the Caribbean Week of Agriculture, told Tribune Business that insurance for farmers and fishermen has long been a concern, and suggested its absence was a deterrent to persons entering the sector.

"We would have to look at a sector-wide approach to insurance," he said. "While I am here in Barbados that is one of the discussions I want to have with CDEMA; to look at that insurance component they have and see to what extent that facility applies to farmers and fishermen.

"I also want to talk to other ministers of agriculture and the inter-governmental agencies about how they are addressing the insurance issues relative to farmers and fishermen."

Mr Pintard said other issues being assessed were funding opportunities and technical assistance. The Minister and his team who have been touring the Family Islands to meet with farmers, and have been met with similar concerns on each visit.

"We are doing a tour of all districts talking to farmers. We recently went to Eleuthera. A lot of the same concerns we heard in some of the other islands were raised," he added. "One of the issues raised was with regards to clearing land for farming. There was also the issue of the continued training for our extension officers. Then there are the issues of funding and distribution.

"With regard to distribution we want to see how we can help farmers increase their production so that they can get their product to market. The Government can assist in that regard but farmers and government officials have to be careful that we are not filling a role a cooperative can better fill in terms of distribution.

"Looking at the packing houses, I think the time has come for us to entertain the idea of a public-private partnership or a cooperative filing the role of packing houses. Cooperatives are probably better suited to purchase from farmers and then market it to persons whether in New Providence, Grand Bahama or internationally," ," Mr Pintard continued.

"Governments should not be in the business of encouraging farmers to sell at the lowest possible price. Our role is to help them get the get the best possible price and assist them in marketing their product."