Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands –7th August 2025

The Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure, Transport & Development (PAHITD)
was proud to welcome renowned BBC journalist and documentary storyteller Hannah Ajala to the
Cayman Islands this week. Hannah visited the islands as part of the Cayman Islands Department of
Tourism’s Visiting Journalist Programme which brings journalists from the islands’ source markets to
experience our unique destination and drive international coverage.

As part of her visit, Ms. Ajala conducted an exclusive interview on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, with Hon.
Minister Jay Ebanks, Hon. Deputy Premier Gary Rutty, Hon. Isaac Rankine, and Director of
Agriculture Wilbur Welcome. The discussion centred on the future of sustainable agriculture, food
security, and regional farming practices in the Cayman Islands.

Ms. Ajala’s visit reflects the growing international interest in Cayman’s agricultural development and
food resilience efforts. During her tour, she attended the official ribbon cutting of the Cayman Islands’
first commercial egg facility, explored the Orchid Grounds at the Department of Agriculture (DoA), and
engaged in in-depth dialogue with government leaders about the Ministry’s vision for a self-sustaining
agricultural future.

Minister Jay Ebanks shared:
“Food sustainability and food security are among my top priorities. Cayman imports nearly 98% of our
food, and that has to change. We’ve already made strides through initiatives like the National Egg
Strategy (NEST) programme, and we are developing others to further reduce our reliance on imports.
We’re training our youth, one crop at a time. It’s about equipping the next generation with the tools to
farm and sustain themselves — and this visit helps bring that mission to light.”

The scenic Orchid Grounds provided a fitting backdrop for the BBC’s upcoming feature, which will
highlight the Ministry’s transformative initiatives in modernizing agriculture across the Islands—a
testament to the continued progress under Minister Ebanks’ leadership.

During the tour, Mrs. Claudette McKenzie-Bowen, Agronomist Manager with the Department of
Agriculture, for over 14 years, guided Ms. Ajala through fruit trees, crop beds, and experimental
plantings, even encouraging her to harvest and taste fresh local produce like mangoes and guineps.
Mrs. Claudette McKenize-Bowen stated:

“The Department of Agriculture provides extension services to farmers, manage propagation
materials, and run small plot crop experiments for issues like pest control. All of what you see here—
from bananas and plantains to eggplants—is grown to support Cayman’s farming sector.”

Minister Isaac Rankine added:

“I fully support Minister Jay’s efforts to prioritize food security and sustainable agriculture. The NEST
programme is already making a positive impact—and I’ve felt that personally. I never used to eat
eggs regularly, but now I have them every day. These are the small lifestyle shifts that show we’re on
the right path. In our early days, Caymanians relied on the land and sea to sustain their families. It’s
exciting to see the Ministry and the Department of Agriculture helping us reconnect with those roots
through strategic investment.”
Deputy Premier Gary Rutty stated:

“Agriculture is at the heart of our resilience and self-reliance. We fully support the Minister’s work from
both a Cabinet and caucus level. Hosting Ms. Ajala allows us to share the Cayman Islands’
commitment to sustainability with the world—and reinforces our determination to create a future
where our people are nourished by what we produce locally.” The goal is to diversify our food sources
and move Cayman toward real food independence.”

The Ministry expressed its gratitude to Ms. Ajala for choosing to spotlight Cayman’s efforts.
Director Wilbur Welcome said:
“Cayman has such a unique agricultural product that deserves both protection and international
attention. From education to implementation, our team remains focused on modernising farming in a
way that empowers Caymanians. We look forward to sharing that journey with a global audience.”

A respected journalist, international speaker, and founder of We Are Black Journos, Ms. Ajala is
known for amplifying underreported stories across Africa and the Caribbean, making her visit
especially meaningful to the Cayman Islands.

About the Ministry of PAHITD:
Under the guidance of Hon. Minister Johany “Jay” Ebanks, the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture,
Housing, Infrastructure, Transport & Development is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and
economic prosperity of the Cayman Islands through comprehensive planning, sustainable agriculture,
housing, and infrastructure.

About the Department of Agriculture (DoA):
The Department of Agriculture aims to foster sustainable agricultural production, enhancing self-
sufficiency and food security in the Cayman Islands. The Department extends a range of services,
from agronomical to veterinary, and wholly supports the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture,
Housing and Infrastructure in implementing its policies and strategies.

About the Department of Tourism (DoT):
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) is the public sector agency charged with
responsibility for short- and medium-term strategic planning and general destination management for
the Cayman Islands’ tourism industry. To learn more please visit:www.ourcayman.ky