March 2, 2010… Mutual discussions re the advancement of the agricultural sector in the areas of water conservation and organic farming were held between the Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment Hilson Baptiste and Sar Yadiel Ben Israel, minister of Divine Agriculture of African Hebrew Israelites Community of Jerusalem.

The Institute of Regenerative Truth, and the ministry, invited Sar Yadiel Ben Israel, soil scientist and environmentalist, to Antigua and Barbuda, who’s renowned for his organic agricultural efforts in various countries on the African Continent. His visit will last for 10 days, between February 26th –March 08th.

During the minister’s visit, he made courtesy call on the Minister of Agriculture, Monday, before visiting the three major stations, Cades Bay, Green Castle and Christian Valley, with Minister of State Chanlah Codrington, officials from ministry of Agriculture and Institute of Regenerative Truth. Among the group were Ammi Ben Israel, Ramona Ben Israel, Dandridge Joseph, Station Co-ordinator and Owolabi Elabanjo Extension Officer.

The minister’s visit continued Tuesday, to Diamond (ADC), and Dundars. His visit is to merge the practices of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Divine Agriculture of the African Hebrew Israelite Community for the mutual benefit of both ministries. On Thursday, March 04th, 5: 00 p.m., minister Sar Yadiel Ben Israel, would be holding a seminar at the Multipurpose Cultural Centre.

It is an opportunity for farmers, agro –processors, ministry officials and other members of the community to learn how to institute some of the international standards of organic farming, creating some natural industries (organic insect repellants, composting recipes procedures and alternate irrigation systems.)

Baptiste in welcoming, Sar Yadiel Ben Israel, to Antigua, outlined the status of the agriculture, stating that with Antigua experience dry-spell, “focus is on water storage.”

“Agriculture has a very serious role to play, in our economy, but one of our greatest challenges is water, in-terms of harvesting, storage because our ponds are not properly lined,” the minister said gone are the days’ when ponds are dug without strategic planning.

“We have to find out a way to trap the millions of gallons of water that goes into the sea.” He added that soil testing is another critical area to determine whether the soil could hold the waters. Further, to the soil testing the, the minister said a strategic framework for scientific approach, to prevent erosion and rapid evaporation.

Baptiste indicated that Israel has successfully stored water, and has assisted, Santo Domingo, and other countries in that regards. The minister, through Sar Yadiel Ben Israel, requested that contacts be made within the wider government to assist Antigua & Barbuda, to store water for agricultural puposes.

On the issue of organic farming, Baptiste, suggested that high market value crops should be targeted. He added however that proper packaging and handling are important areas that should be put in place.

He noted that “ my quest is make sure we produce what we eat.”

The minister is also of the view that organic farming is the way to go since it can prolong life, and could enhance the tourism sector. “Organic is the way to go , we will have to teach the farmers to do it on a small scale .”

Deputy Director of Agriculture, Jedidiah Maxime, noted that the tourism market, has become health driven and the ministry has to look seriously at intertwining aspects of organic farming into the sector.

Sar Yadiel Ben Israel, who also wore the cap of a bio-organic consultant, meanwhile welcomed the ideas.

He outlined methods, employed in Israel noting that, at least 10-percent of their crop production is organic.

The minister added that while compatible technology is being used, much focus is placed on rural development, with work being done farmers to move from subsistence to sustainable.

He confirmed that with the dry –over the land in Israel, an alternative was successfully sought to store water. Sar Yadiel Ben Israel disclosed methods such as gravity fed drip irrigation system, which he said, is inexpensive.