While presenting prizes to exhibitors at the annual agricultural exhibition, Minister Debono said the ministry is dedicated to strengthening the agricultural sector and several projects are well under way.

Work is being done for the slaughterhouse to be modernised. After the tender is evaluated, work can begin to make the slaughterhouse conform to international hygiene standards, said Mrs Debono.

The incinerator that was funded completely by the Fifth Italo-Maltese Protocol is currently working 24 hours a day to meet the demand. The setting up of the incinerator provides a service for those who work in the agricultural sector, especially animal breeders.

Over the last five summers, the ministry has planted 50,000 flowers in roundabouts and traffic islands. Even in the summer heat, the flowers gave the roundabouts a new look.

Work is also being done to prune the trees in Gozo and Mrs Debono said that the ministry’s agricultural section aims to prune all the trees in Gozo over a few years. This section of the ministry also planted thousands of trees in a bid to make the island greener.

In her address, Minister Debono also referred to the restoration that took place in the Villa Rundle garden, where the exhibition was being held. The main fountain was restored and a connection was made with the water reservoir in the Telgha tal-Belt for the garden to have a constant supply of fresh water all year round.

The agricultural sector is very important for Gozo, said the minister, and the ministry is committed to help develop it even further.