FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for Caribbean presents credentials to Brantley

The Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Dr. Renata Clarke paid her inaugural visit to the Federation on Tuesday June 25, 2019, and presented her credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, the Hon. Mark Brantley.

Dr. Clarke, who recently took up office in April 2019, holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology and has over 25 years of experience working at the FAO Headquarters, in Rome.

Minister Brantley welcomed Dr. Clarke to the Federation, noting that, "St. Kitts and Nevis looks forward to strengthening its relationship with the FAO, as the Government works towards overcoming the challenges faced by the agricultural sector."

He further noted that some of the key challenges include "building resilience to drought, reducing the food import bill, modernizing agriculture through the use of technology and controlling the monkey population". Dr. Clarke equally expressed her delight to work with the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis, to achieve meaningful results in the areas of agriculture and food safety and security.

During her three day visit to the Federation, Dr. Clarke also held meetings with the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Eugene Hamilton, and a large number of officials from the various divisions of the Ministry and Department of Agriculture, officials from the Department of Technology, senior officials at the Ministry of Sustainable Development and private sector stakeholders.