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Farmers need immediate help with water and clear schedules for grants while awaiting major agricultural projects, government backbencher and At Large Representative Stacy Mather has urged.
Speaking recently in the House of Assembly, Mather said farmers and fishers were seeking answers from the Government, warning that their survival was directly linked to the Territory’s food security.
While projects such as a reservoir expected in 2027 offered hope, he stressed that producers needed support to continue growing crops and rearing livestock in the meantime.
"Now, they look at projects like the reservoir that is coming in 2027 but in the meantime, we have to do more," he said.
Mather added: “We need to make sure that when we talk about food security, we must meet our producers halfway, and right now, that includes interim irrigation plans, clear grants schedules, and collaborative infrastructure support."
He called for greater investment in agriculture, arguing that the Government’s policies and spending must match its statements about strengthening food security.
Mather also urged closer cooperation between the Ministry of Communications and Works and the Ministry of Agriculture to address farmers’ water needs, starting at Paraquita Bay.
Pointing to ongoing pipe installation and water infrastructure repairs, he challenged Minister for Communications and Works Kye Rymer to ensure those efforts also supported agricultural production.
“Talk with the Ministry of Agriculture. Let’s figure out how we can get our farmers more water. Let’s start at Paraquita Bay,” he said.
Mather also supported bringing forward the Food Security Bill, agreeing with the Premier’s recent call for the legislation to advance.
In his 2027 Budget Address, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley said farmers and fishers would receive grants before the end of 2026.
“The recently approved Supplemental Appropriation brings the total allocation for grants for our fishers and farmers to $500,000,” the Premier stated.
He also reported that designs and tenders had been completed for the Agricultural Complex, farmers’ reservoir and fishing complex at the Omar Hodge Fisherman’s Wharf, describing these as laying the infrastructural foundation for sustainable food security.
Speaking recently in the House of Assembly, Mather said farmers and fishers were seeking answers from the Government, warning that their survival was directly linked to the Territory’s food security.
While projects such as a reservoir expected in 2027 offered hope, he stressed that producers needed support to continue growing crops and rearing livestock in the meantime.
"Now, they look at projects like the reservoir that is coming in 2027 but in the meantime, we have to do more," he said.
Mather added: “We need to make sure that when we talk about food security, we must meet our producers halfway, and right now, that includes interim irrigation plans, clear grants schedules, and collaborative infrastructure support."
He called for greater investment in agriculture, arguing that the Government’s policies and spending must match its statements about strengthening food security.
Mather also urged closer cooperation between the Ministry of Communications and Works and the Ministry of Agriculture to address farmers’ water needs, starting at Paraquita Bay.
Pointing to ongoing pipe installation and water infrastructure repairs, he challenged Minister for Communications and Works Kye Rymer to ensure those efforts also supported agricultural production.
“Talk with the Ministry of Agriculture. Let’s figure out how we can get our farmers more water. Let’s start at Paraquita Bay,” he said.
Mather also supported bringing forward the Food Security Bill, agreeing with the Premier’s recent call for the legislation to advance.
In his 2027 Budget Address, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley said farmers and fishers would receive grants before the end of 2026.
“The recently approved Supplemental Appropriation brings the total allocation for grants for our fishers and farmers to $500,000,” the Premier stated.
He also reported that designs and tenders had been completed for the Agricultural Complex, farmers’ reservoir and fishing complex at the Omar Hodge Fisherman’s Wharf, describing these as laying the infrastructural foundation for sustainable food security.
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