Concerns continue to rise around the proposed Agri Innovation Park in Aruba, with several farmers and environmental advocates warning that the project does not offer real value to the local community and could have a negative impact on the island’s natural environment. During a recent meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Fisheries Geoffrey Wever, tensions were palpable as stakeholders expressed their concerns.
Farmers question local value of the project
At a meeting on January 9 regarding the Agri Innovation Park, farmer Kinsasha Thielman–van der Bliek participated and reiterated concerns she had already raised on multiple occasions. According to her, her warnings have not received sufficient attention from the ministry, which she says continues to ignore local farmers.
Thielman–van der Bliek argues that the project does not bring significant innovation to Aruba’s agricultural sector, especially for local farmers who need more support to develop sustainable farming and production.
“Instead of strengthening local agriculture, this initiative seems more focused on foreign investments.” She also criticized Minister Wever for failing to acknowledge the realities that farmers face.
Environmental risks worry agricultural sector
According to her, the minister was not sufficiently willing to listen to stakeholders nor to fully understand the technical material related to the project.
She noted that a similar Agri Innovation system had already been implemented in the Netherlands, where it faced serious operational and environmental problems. Nevertheless, the same model is now being considered for Aruba.
“This project does not land well with local farmers or environmental protectors because it could create more problems than solutions,” she emphasized.
Call to update environmental laws
In addition to her opposition to Agri Innovation, Thielman–van der Bliek stressed that Aruba’s environmental laws are outdated and urgently need modernization.
She believes that before granting permits for large projects, the Parliament of Aruba must first reform environmental legislation to ensure adequate protection of the island’s natural resources.
“The laws must be in order before permits are granted not after,” she concluded.