The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, known as Santa Rosa, celebrated its 50th anniversary with an open house attended by Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and the Primary Sector Geoffrey Wever.
The event brought together farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, local producers, and vendors to recognize five decades of service to Aruba’s primary sector. Visitors explored locally produced goods and learned more about the island’s agricultural traditions.
Several individuals and organizations were recognized for their contributions to the sector, including WEB Aruba, represented by Robert Croes, along with Rachelle Peterson, Francisco Franken, Anthony Bello, Benjamin Romero, Franklin van der Linde, and Arthur Giel.
Minister Wever also thanked Santa Rosa’s director, Nathalie Maduro, for her 16 years of service, as well as current and former employees. He acknowledged the vision of the late Deputy Daniel Leo, who played an important role in establishing the department.
During the celebration, Wever announced that the government has begun arranging four service contracts for maintenance, renovations, and improvements at Santa Rosa. The work is intended to strengthen the department’s operations and improve support for local farmers and producers.
“When we invest in Santa Rosa, we are also investing in the producers who depend on its assistance and in the future of our local food production. We are investing in a crucial sector,” Wever stated.
The minister also highlighted the introduction of new breeding livestock to Aruba for the first time in 14 years. The initiative, developed in cooperation with Santa Rosa and the Comision Pro Cunukeronan Arubiano, aims to improve genetic diversity and the quality of local livestock breeding.
Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers has approved the continued development of the Cunucu Butucu project, which seeks to improve access to land and infrastructure for agricultural production and livestock farming.
Together with the Agri-Innovation Park project, these initiatives aim to strengthen local agriculture through a combination of traditional farming practices and modern technology.
Wever emphasized the importance of working closely with farmers, livestock breeders, and other professionals to increase local food production and improve Aruba’s food security.
“The primary sector is not only part of our past and our traditions. It is also part of our future, our identity, our food security, and our economic development,” he said.
The minister concluded by congratulating Santa Rosa on its 50th anniversary and thanking those who have contributed to the department and Aruba’s primary sector over the past five decades.
