The Opposition has voiced caution after the Premier pledged relief for farmers during the House of Assembly’s budget debate, questioning how quickly and effectively the promised support would reach those working the land.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, speaking during the debate on the 2026 Appropriation Bill, outlined government’s intention to ease pressures facing farmers as part of its broader budget priorities. The pledge came against a backdrop of ongoing concerns about food security, rising input costs, and the vulnerability of local agriculture to extreme weather.
The government previously said that support for farmers forms part of efforts to strengthen local production and reduce reliance on imports, an issue that has been raised repeatedly in public debate in recent years. Farmers have long complained about limited access to water and land, high operating costs, and delays in receiving assistance promised in successive budgets.
However, Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn expressed scepticism about whether the government’s latest assurances would translate into tangible relief on the ground. During his contribution to the budget debate, Walwyn scrutinised the government’s overall fiscal position and raised concerns about implementation, pointing to what he described as gaps between announcements and delivery.
Walwyn questioned the continued reliance on imported eggs, saying local production was being overlooked. “We seem to be more comfortable with bringing in eggs from Santo Domingo than investing in our young people to produce more eggs for us here locally,” he stated.
Calling for a clearer agricultural strategy, Walwyn urged the government to prioritise faster-yielding crops and modern methods. “Let us concentrate on short crops… leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes,” he said, adding that these crops “reduce import” and “create jobs.” He also called for renewed investment in protected farming, arguing that the BVI should “get back to the greenhouses” and “get technology involved.”
Land access was another concern raised, with Walwyn saying young people faced obstacles when seeking farmland. “You know how many young people come to me and say they want land at Paraquita Bay to do farming?” he asked, urging the government to “make land more accessible.”
Walwyn argued that farmers, like other sectors, need clarity on timelines, funding levels, and mechanisms for support. He linked his concerns to wider criticisms of the budget process, including the speed at which members received the final estimates and the challenges this posed for proper scrutiny.
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