TORTOLA, BVI – Virgin Islands is set to celebrate Food Heroes at 2026 Exhibition & Market: “the heart of this year’s Agriculture and Fisheries Exhibition and Market lies in a profound act of gratitude,” says the Agriculture and Fisheries Department.
“Under the theme: ‘Farming the Land, Fishing the Seas, Nourishing Lives and Legacies,’ this weekend’s celebration serves as a powerful reminder that food security is a collective territorial effort,” stated permanent secretary in the premier’s office, Carolyn Stoutt Igwe.
In a significant move toward unity, the 2026 honours will recognise primary producers not just from Tortola, but from the sister islands of Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke, highlighting the vital contributions made by every corner of the Virgin Islands community.
The opening ceremony for this year’s Agriculture and Fisheries Exhibition and Market will be held on Friday, April 10, at 4p.m. at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. The ceremony will feature a harvest procession, musical entertainment, official remarks, and games.
“A vibrant harvest procession will lead the way, and there will be a special video presentation showcasing various aspects of agriculture and fisheries in the Virgin Islands,” Stoutt Igwe announced.
The pinnacle of the evening will be the formal recognition of industry leaders across seven distinct categories. These awards include Livestock Producer Award; Food Producer Award; Agri-Tech Innovator Award; Community Farming Hero Award; Community Fishing Hero Award; Lifetime Achievement Award (Fishers); and Fisheries Entrepreneurship Award.
According to the permanent secretary, the aim is to celebrate both the youth injecting new energy into the field and the more seasoned farmers and fishers who have dedicated their lives to the sea and the soil. As “Community Heroes,” the government seeks to elevate the status of food production from a mere trade to a celebrated pillar of Virgin Islands culture.