The Agriculture Open Day is the premiere Agriculture activity on Nevis. It was conceptualized and commenced in 1994 and has grown in leaps and bounds to become one of the major attractions on the island. The Open Day was hosted at the Prospect Agricultural Station for the first nine years and was moved to its present home, the Villa Grounds in Charlestown in 2004.
The objectives of the Open Day include:
- To raise the awareness of the level of agricultural activity on the island
- To encourage the use of improved technology among the farming community with a subsequent improvement in production and productivity
- To promote the freshness and quality of our locally grown commodities.
- To highlight the services offered by the Department of Agriculture
- To foster greater collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, its clients and allied agencies.
- To sensitise the general public towards the need for increased food production
- To recognize and publicly acknowledge the invaluable contribution of individuals and organizations to the development of agriculture on Nevis.
The Open Day provides an excellent avenue for persons involved in the industry to advertise and sell their products.
The Department of Agriculture through the Open Day seeks to re-intensify its buy local, eat local campaign. The department uses the event to encourage Nevisians and residents to eat more of what they grow and grow more of what they eat.
During both the 10th (2004) and 20th (2014) anniversaries of the Open Day in, organisers hosted a combined calypso show and queen pageant to further highlight the importance of the Agriculture Industry through song and pageantry.
Open Day normally features among other things:
- The display and sale of fruits, vegetables, meat and meat products, jams, jellies, wines, fruit trees, seedlings, ornamentals, pastries, food and agricultural inputs.
- Food preparation demonstrations to highlight the use of local products.
- Display of exotic animals
- Display of local cultural talent
