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The Ministry of Agriculture and the Cayman Islands Agricultural Society announce that the annual Cayman Islands Agricultural Show will be cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions as well as the loss and damage suffered by several farmers as a result of Tropical Storm Grace.

Minister of Agriculture Hon. Jay Ebanks has said that the cancellation of the show is a setback but the circumstances are understandable. “I have spoken to a number of our commercial farmers who are focused on their farm rehabilitation and recovery efforts at this time. Over the past few months, Government has been working to support many of our farmers and I feel certain that they will be ready for the next staging of the event”, he said.

He further noted, “We injected the largest one time investment in the agricultural sector through the Tropical Storm Grace Farmers’ Assistance Project as well as provided other grants so they will have the resources to help strengthen their resilience to boost the Islands’ food and nutrition security”.

President of Cayman Islands Agricultural Society George Smith stated that “the members of the agricultural society support the cancellation given the situation, and the team at the Ministry and Department of Agriculture have assured us that they will find other ways to highlight the work of the farmers throughout the year”.

The Cayman Agricultural Show, which is held every Ash Wednesday, is a family event that provides farmers an opportunity to sell their produce and display their livestock.

Over 9,000 people attended the last event held in 2019.