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October 16th marks an important day on the global calendar – World Food Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the significance of agriculture and food security worldwide. This year, however, St. Kitts and Nevis witnessed an unprecedented event in its history. For the first time ever, the sitting Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Samal Duggins, failed to deliver the customary national address on this crucial occasion.In a surprising turn of events, World Food Day came and went without the anticipated address from the Minister of Agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis. This marked a historic departure from tradition, leaving citizens and stakeholders puzzled. Even across the waters in Nevis, Hon. Eric Evelyn, the Minister of Agriculture, stood before the public to share insights and initiatives on this momentous day.What added to the intrigue was the contrasting activities of Hon. Samal Duggins on the very same day. Instead of addressing critical issues in the agricultural sector, he returned from the Bahamas, where he was amidst one of his numerous overseas trips in the past year. The purpose of this particular trip? To inaugurate his opulent million-dollar offices at Port Zante, a move that has raised eyebrows across the nation.World Food Day holds international significance, commemorating the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945. This day is a call to action, reminding us of the collective responsibility to combat hunger, improve agricultural practices, and secure sustainable food systems globally.St. Kitts and Nevis’ absence in this year’s World Food Day addresses by Agriculture Ministers in the Caribbean region is a striking anomaly. While other nations took this opportunity to engage with their citizens on matters of food security and agriculture, the silence from the federal Minister of Agriculture raises vital questions about the priorities and commitments of the ministry in St. Kitts and Nevis.As the world united to celebrate World Food Day, St. Kitts and Nevis experienced a historic departure from tradition. The absence of the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Samal Duggins, from delivering the national address, along with the contrasting events of the day, has sparked concerns and discussions about the direction of the agricultural sector in the nation. It remains to be seen how this unprecedented event will influence the discourse on food security and agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis moving forward.