Parliamentary Representative for Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques, Emma Hippolyte, has underscored the critical role of agriculture, water conservation, and community responsibility ahead of the constituency’s commencement of the Independence Baton Relay on Sunday.
Addressing residents ahead of the start of the next leg of the relay, Hippolyte called for gratitude and unity, noting that the national Independence theme, “Nourishing Our People, Strengthening Our Nation,” strongly resonates with the Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques constituency.
“There is no other constituency that can take responsibility for nourishing and feeding our nation,” Hippolyte said, pointing to the area’s long-standing contribution to agriculture and food security. She urged residents to take pride in their role as farmers and producers who help sustain the country.
The Parliamentary Representative explained that the baton was formally received on Saturday from neighbouring communities, with a focus on agricultural production, specifically potatoes. As the baton journey continued on Sunday, she noted that the symbolic gift basket of produce presented during the handover reflected the constituency’s diverse agricultural output, including vegetables, ground provisions, and the dasheen for which Fond St. Jacques is well known.
Hippolyte stressed the importance of embracing and expanding local agricultural products, noting that they not only nourish the nation but also provide vital economic returns for farmers. “We have a product, and we must accept it, cherish it, and expand it,” she said.
She also used the opportunity to highlight the link between nutrition and environmental stewardship, particularly water conservation. Emphasising that Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques is a major water source for the country, Hippolyte cautioned residents about the use of fertilisers near waterways and called for greater care in protecting rivers, forests, and water sources.
“When we speak about nutrition, it’s not only about food,” she said. “Water is just as important, and you have a serious responsibility to protect our water sources and keep our waterways clean.”
The MP reaffirmed her commitment to working with residents to strengthen families and communities, while reminding them of their dual responsibility to feed the nation and safeguard natural resources for present and future generations.
