VISITING JOURNALIST TOURISM PROMOTION FOCUSES ON REVIVING AGRICULTURE

By Staff Writer

The Department of Tourism recently hosted UK journalist and podcaster Hannah Ajala as part of its Visiting Journalist Program, which brings journalists from the islands’ source markets to experience the destination and drive international coverage.

Ms Ajala is an international journalist currently specialising in podcasts for organisations like the BBC and CBC. Featured topics include women’s empowerment, culture and art, fashion and music, current affairs, and most recently, true crime.

She posted on her Instagram page: “What began as a professional invitation to the Cayman Islands unfolded into something deeper: a celebration of sisterhood, sunshine, and soft adventure. Grateful for the joy, the journey, and the gentle reminder that work can very much come with enjoyment.”

In a press statement, the Department of Tourism said 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.

As part of her visit, she 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.

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.”

A GIS statement described the scenic Orchid Grounds providing a fitting backdrop for the upcoming feature on the BBC, which will highlight the Ministry’s transformative initiatives in modernising 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 runs 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: “The NEST programme is already making a positive impact—and I’ve felt that personally. 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.”

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.”

Hannah Ajala is also the founder of We Are Black Journos, an events and networking platform connecting and celebrating Black journalists.