PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of TEATT, through its Department of Economic, Transportation & Telecommunication (ETT), successfully hosted St. Maarten’s inaugural Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries (ALF) Expo on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the University of Sint Maarten. Held from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the Expo drew a strong and diverse crowd, from entrepreneurs and educators to seasoned farmers, investors, and families, all eager to discover opportunities within this emerging sector.
What began as a policy approved in 2022 has now progressed into a clear and organized national movement, demonstrating the country’s readiness to pursue food security and economic diversification with intention.
Presenters Leading the Shift in St. Maarten’s ALF Sector
The Expo featured powerful presentations from sector leaders, beginning with:
Shervin Frederick, Acting Department Head (ETT) – Sector overview and ALF Expo 2025 Status Apdate
Wendy Jack, Policy Advisor – Presentation on the current state and future of the Fisheries Sector in St. Maarten
Sabrina Brismeur, Nature Foundation – The environmental and sustainable landscape of fisheries
Vanessa Mattew, Policy Advisor (ETT) – Advancement of Hydroponics Programs in Schools
Mr. Ajit Persaud – Coordinator of the Hydroponics Program for Catholic Schools
Rose Poraan-Fleming, Senior Policy Advisor (ETT) – Developing a sustainable poultry industry for the island
A key highlight of the evening was the update from Mr. Ajit Persaud and his colleagues, who shared the success of hydroponics across schools — made possible through the Green Overseas Train-the-Trainer Program. This initiative has:
Positively redirected troubled youth
Taught students entrepreneurial skills, from preparing produce for sale to calculating prices.
Allowed children to benefit directly from what they grow.
Demonstrated SKOS as a model of how agriculture can be reintegrated into education effectively.
Stakeholders & Vendors Reflect Growing Industry Momentum
In addition to presenters, the Expo featured a strong lineup of vendors and partners offering guidance and resources essential to building a modern ALF sector. Attendees connected with:
Qredits, represented by Mr. Oliver Williams
SEDC, represented by Pearl Hendrickson and her team
Arrowroot Farms, represented by Mr. Josiah Halley
Nutramix, represented by Mr. Desmond Brown
Mr. Henk Lake, Supplier of Chicks & Feed
Ms. Merlyn Harrigan, Hobbyist Farmer
Their support reflects the full ecosystem required to grow this sector, from funding and training to supplies, feed, and community-driven production.
Why ALF Matters Now More Than Ever
During her remarks, the Minister of TEATT grounded the audience in the real urgency behind building the ALF sector:
“We import nearly everything we eat. When the world sneezes… St. Maarten catches the flu,” she said, sparking warm laughter across the room.
“Developing our Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries sector is not just economic strategy, it is national security. It reduces dependency, keeps more money at home, and opens new opportunities for families. The energy in this room tonight proves that the people of St. Maarten are ready for these opportunities.”
The Minister also acknowledged the crucial support received to date, including the upcoming DCALFA Annual Conference in 2026, which Sint Maarten will host, and the Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) now en route thanks to the assistance from Prime Minister Pisas of Curaçao.
A Movement Takes Shape : With More To Come
Acting Department Head Shervin Frederick offered heartfelt closing remarks:
“This has been long in the making, and based on the turnout, we can clearly see the interest in learning more and exploring what this industry offers. This is just the beginning. The Department, the Ministry, and our partners will continue working to ensure ALF becomes a real pillar of diversification for St. Maarten. I thank my team for their support in making this happen and the Minister for championing our vision. For anyone seeking more information, please reach out to the Department.”
