By LISA S. KING/ Freeport News
As the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) makes plans to construct a new Farmer's Market for the city of Freeport, BAIC Assistant General Manager H. Rudy Sawyer is convinced that it will be a very useful venture that could enhance the way vendors sell their goods.
In an interview with The Freeport News yesterday, Sawyer said since an announcement was made by GBPA officials about the project, BAIC has expressed a strong interest and intends to work hand in hand with the port to ensure its success.
Last month, GBPA Chairman Hannes Babak declared that the proposed Farmers Market will be located on West Atlantic Drive and will be conveniently situated near the circle by the Home Centre.
Sir Jack Hayward, honorary chairman of the GBPA Ltd., who was also present at the press conference revealing the information, noted that the final location was determined based on a vote taken among the local fishermen who were invited to present their suggestions for the market.
Sawyer said once the Farmers Market is completed, it will provide an improved atmosphere for fish, fruit and vegetable vendors to sell their goods in a manner that will be much better than it was before.
"So there is a similar interest (in the Farmers Market) and certainly as a corporation, we do have a keen interest in working with them (GBPA) on it," Sawyer said. "It truly expresses the interest of BAIC as we think that it could be a very useful venture."
He said in New Providence, the Produce Exchange there had been run down for a number of years and BAIC took an initiative to Govern-ment to have it refurbished so that it could be up and running again. The Produce Exchange was a necessary place for farmers around the country to bring their products and like the one in New Providence, the Ministry of Agriculture in Grand Bahama are busily refurbishing the Produce Exchange downtown.
Thus, Sawyer is of the view that the provision of a new Farmers Market would greatly improve the availability of fresh produce on a daily basis.
"I would think that an outlet like that, given the retail side of it and with the limited numbers we do have now, it would give them (vendors) an avenue to be able to sell their goods differently from what they are doing now," he said.
"I certainly expect that we will get more farmers as time goes on, once we don't get hit too hard by any hurricanes, which seems to be the biggest discouragement in this field here in Grand Bahama."
Farming, the BAIC general manager said, is an area in which he is particularly encouraged, especially in public high schools that offer an agricultural program for students.
He said there is great potential there because eventually some of the students will take farming seriously and find a way to establish it as a business.
"Farmers will come from wherever people are. There will always be an interest by people to grow their own food or stay close to land," he said. "Most of the land for commercial farming in Grand Bahama is really located towards the eastern end of the island, where most of the crown land for farming is located. Once you get near to Gold Rock Creek, that is where you will find most of the farms."
Sawyer said while the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for refurbishing the Produce Exchange, BAIC has a different approach to agriculture as a government corporation.
"BAIC's angle when it comes to agriculture is as with any other business and that is to really encourage people who would want to go into business to help them prepare to go into business," he said.
During the press conference announcing the location of the new Farmers Market, Sir Jack also said he liked the idea of it being not just a fish market, but rather a space that vendors can sell fruit, vegetables and prepared seafood dishes as well.
He said that it would be ideal for persons who want to bring fruits and vegetables and other products from the rest of The Bahamas as there is a need to be able to access all of the many products, flora and fauna of The Bahamas.
"It was perhaps not the best move to introduce the project as a fish market," he said agreeing that a farmers market would be a much more suitable name. "We should call it a farmers' market and we should encourage all the farmers in the whole of The Bahamas to send their produce to the farmers' market."
