Farming, fishing grants launched

Farmers and fishers in the territory can now apply for government grants as large as $50,000 under a new initiative designed to help the sectors’ businesses level up.

Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley explained a new grant policy — titled “From Land and Sea to Enterprise: Unlocking the Economic Potential of Agriculture and Fisheries” — last Thursday in the House of Assembly, and the government started accepting applications the next day.

Approved by Cabinet on Jan. 7, the policy is designed to boost food security, stimulate economic activity and make the agriculture and fisheries sectors more resilient and independent, according to the premier.

“The Virgin Islands currently imports most of its food supply,” Mr. Wheatley told the HOA. “Recent global disruptions have clearly demonstrated the vulnerability of small island states like ours to supply chain shocks and rising food costs. This policy responds directly to those realities by providing targeted financial support to farmers, fishers, agro-processors and fish processors who are already engaged in commercial activity, as well as those who are ready to scale up viable operations.”

The grants

The premier said grant funds will be limited by ceilings based on the size of the commercial operation applying — $10,000 for small-scale, $25,000 for medium-scale, and $50,000 for large-scale — but he didn’t define the criteria for inclusion in each category. The grants can be used for capital investment, operational inputs, training, innovation and modern technologies, he said. However, using them to purchase land is prohibited.

A 2025 budgetary allocation of $136,526.86 has been approved to launch the programme, which will be administered by the Premier’s Office, according to Mr. Wheatley.

He added that the programme’s objectives are based on criteria laid out by the VI Food Security and Sustainability Act, 2022, and the 2023 National Sustainable Development Plan.

Applications open

The application process launched Friday, when forms were posted on the government’s website. Completed applications for the first round of grants must be submitted by Feb. 13.

“This is not a hand-out programme,” Mr. Wheatley said. “It is an investment programme. It is anchored in clear eligibility criteria, a structured application and evaluation process, strong financial management standards, and robust monitoring and reporting requirements to ensure value for money and public accountability.”

Committee formation

He added that grant applications will be reviewed by a Commercial Agriculture and Fisheries Grant Committee, which will be responsible for assessing applications and making recommendations to the minister of agriculture and fisheries — a position currently held by Mr. Wheatley.

“An advertisement inviting qualified individuals to serve on the grant committee has been released, and appointments will be finalised in keeping with established procedures,” he said.