Caribbean dignitaries visiting Bermuda for the 69th Annual Exhibition have praised the involvement of young people in the event.

Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society and chairman of the Caribbean Farmers' Network, told The Royal Gazette it was his second visit to the Island. "It has been absolutely fantastic," he said. "The involvement of the children has just been awesome. It makes a tremendous statement that agriculture is alive in the island of Bermuda."

Silvyn Farrell, Junior Prime Minister of Antigua, said he would be taking many ideas back to his home country. "I was impressed, particularly with the participation of youth.

"Overall, I'm even more impressed with the turnout that supported the young people and the Government. I think it's something that shows the Government is appreciated by the people."

Antigua's Deputy Prime Minister Neon Briggs described the Annual Exhibition as "wonderful". He said: "The youth involvement was very impressive as was the quality of the produce. The exhibition is a way of promoting Bermuda and selling Bermuda to the rest of the world. I think it's a very good initiative."

Kearney Gomez, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of District Administration in the Cayman Islands, said: "Most definitely we can learn from you because we are in the process of developing an agricultural tourism park and visiting your botanical park provided a lot of insight as to how to do it well."

He added: "We have been overwhelmed by the amount of involvement from the youth. In order to provide continuity, you have to get them involved from an early age and we plan to adopt that similar philosophy back in Cayman."

The Caribbean visitors also accompanied Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield to the opening of Buy Back Bermuda's new wildlife habitat — Somerset Long Bay East Nature Reserve — on Sunday.