St. George’s, Grenada, August 21, 2023 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through its Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Integrated Landscape Management (CRA) Project, is enhancing community resilience and promoting sustainable agriculture in rural communities through its seedling distribution drive.
The initiative will benefit the parishes of St. David, St. Andrew, St. Patrick, and the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
The goal is to distribute 10,000 seedlings by November, with a particular emphasis on the active involvement of women and youth, ensuring that the benefits are
widespread and inclusive.
Kerricia Hobson, Project Coordinator, says “With time we would also be looking at more climate resilient species that will allow people to grow crops that are better adapted to the expected changes in climate that we are anticipating.”
Residents of the community of Marquis, St. Andrew received with enthusiasm on August 10, 2023, tomato, pepper, cabbage, and lettuce seedlings, as the UNDP makes a pivotal step towards boosting crop production and encouraging self-sufficiency at the grassroots level.
“We are looking for persons who are currently doing some level of backyard gardening or small farmers, however once other householders are also interested, UNDP is prepared to assist in that level.
We have a priority for women farmers and young people, because we know that given today’s economy, many of the women are running the households and young people are unemployed, and this is an opportunity for them to have some level of gainful employment,” Hobson added.
In the face of mounting climatic challenges that continue to jeopardize agriculture productivity, the UNDP’s unwavering commitment to sustainable and climate-resilient practices has been further manifested through this initiative.
Backyard gardeners and small-scale farmers are set to benefit from this initiative, extending the reach of climate resilience practices to those who need it most.
Collaborating with the UNDP in this endeavor is the Climate Smart Agriculture and Rural Enterprise Programme (SAEP).
Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Extension Officer, Hortense Phillip-Charles, emphasised the long-term impact of the initiative, saying it will help beneficiaries to save money while ensuring they always have nutritious vegetables at their disposal.
She underscored that the collaboration between the CRA project and SAEP aims to create lasting sustainability for the communities involved, enabling them to thrive, despite the challenges posed by climate change.
Recipient, Marquis resident Ruby Noel, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the team for its support.
She highlighted the direct correlation between this initiative and increased financial stability, a sentiment echoed by many who recognise the positive effects of sustainable agriculture on their lives and communities.
The generous provision of seedlings by the UNDP is set to empower local communities with the means to not only increase crop production, but also promote a culture of sustainable agriculture.