Minister of Economic Affairs, Finance, and the Primary Sector Geoffrey Wever has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to addressing the immediate challenges faced by local farmers and fishermen. Speaking in an interview with DIARIO, he discussed the upcoming Agri Innovation Park project and emphasized that the priority is to support traditional farmers, not just new industries.
Minister Wever explained that the agricultural sector in Aruba includes fishing, crop cultivation, and livestock farming, each with different needs. “I told them not to expect another document or vision statement,” he said. “We want to solve their real, concrete problems.”
To address these issues, the ministry is working closely with NV Elmar to find an integrated electricity solution for the farming community. The government has also begun investing in fishing infrastructure, allocating 500,000 Florins to repair damaged piers. The Savaneta pier is already under renovation, and work will continue soon on the Colony pier, followed by other key sites to ensure fishermen have safe and functional facilities.
Regarding livestock farming and meat production, Wever highlighted the goal of improving local availability of fresh meat. By 2026, the government aims to establish proper systems for importing and blending fresh meat locally, strengthening food security and reducing dependence on imports.
“These are issues that have been neglected for too long,” Wever stated. “We are now taking real action to ensure farmers have continuous access to water, electricity, and infrastructure. The idea is to visit every part of the sector, fix existing problems, and help those already doing well to expand.”
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