Hillsborough, Carriacou - Carriacou and Petite Martinique farmers and fisher folks, who play an important role in the nation’s development, have voiced concerns and shared ideas on ways of improving the agriculture and fishing sector. They expressed their views at a meeting with Michael Lett, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The Minister, addressing the farmers and fisher folks at the Carriacou Multipurpose Centre, said government firmly believes that Carriacou should be the centre of excellence for small ruminants’ production, with one of the focuses being the development of an abattoir and packaging centre. In recent times, fishermen here have been faced with the problem of people stealing their engines and sometimes their boats. As part of the solution, they called for the construction of lockers to secure their items. For the farming sector, crop destruction caused by animals on the loose continues to be a nightmare. Farmers, in response, are seeking revision of the impounding law to curb the stray animal problem. Mr. Lett promised government’s action to develop a closer working relationship with the farming and fishing community of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The Minister, who visited several farms on the island, was accompanied by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Aaron Francois, and other agriculture staff. By Dianna Isaac Carriacou