Local hotels import produce, she said, because of a lack of diversification and quantities needed to supply the hotel sector's demands.
Senator Berthia Parle has issued a challenge to local farmers to grow and supply enough fruit to meet the demands of the local hotel sector.
The senator, who is also the general manager of the Bay Gardens Hotel Group, said local hotels are forced to import fruits and vegetables simply because local farmers do not diversify. As a result, many needed fruit products that can be grown here have to be imported because they are unavailable in the quantities required.
Mrs. Parle, during the last senate debate, urged local farmers to produce more local fruit and vegetables, in the quantities needed by the hotels.
She challenged Agriculture Minister Moses Jn Baptiste to do all he can to encourage local farmers to produce up to 85 percent of fruits the hotels require.