By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday November 2021) — Well-known young farming businessman Samal Duggins is of the view that here in St. Kitts-Nevis “the agricultural sector stands ready to channel the next wave of young and technologically savvy Kittitians and Nevisians, who will create modern, efficient and viable farming processes.”
Duggins, who is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of a family-owned business Montraville Farms, was the guest speaker at the 82nd annual conference of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union held on Sunday 31st October 2021.
“To the SKN Trades and Labour Union, I urge you as a body, to prepare yourselves by taking a leading and proactive role, in carving out sustainable development strategies and influencing national, regional and even international policies,” he advised.
Montraville Farms is described as a budding business which employs cutting edge, high quality, efficient food technology and production with a view to sustainability, producing the freshest fruits and vegetables and training aspiring farmers in those methods.
According to Duggins: “Yes! While the focus has traditionally been job security and issues within the workplace, technology has brought about a change in dynamics. Today, the construct of the workplace is different — but not without its own challenges! Standing here as a proud farmer and agitator for food security, agrotechnology and environmental sustainability I could not leave this sacred hall without highlighting the importance of broadening your focus to include sustainability, technology and the environment.”
He pointed out that “Well over a decade ago, our people left cultivation of the land for greener pastures in the service sector. However, due to the effects of climate change, the challenges related to food security and the rise of organic based diets, I unapologetically make the bold prediction that they will be back! Agriculture will be the way of the future!”
“I am firmly of the belief that the fight to preserve and revitalize the labour union is one that we as a people cannot afford to lose as the stakes are too high. Surely, the whole vision of those who founded our union and eventually founded the SKN Labour Party was continuity. Therefore, we must continue to build on that — build on that in the way we shape our country’s policies, build on that in the way we develop our movement, build on that in the way that we inspire people to come together for a better, equitable and more just society,” Duggins said.