BBC Journalist Hannah Ajala Visits Cayman to Spotlight Local Agriculture

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 Program 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.