The Windward Islands Banana Development and Exporting Company (WIBDECO) have come up with a programme designed to stimulate and expand non-banana export crops within the Windward Island for both regional and international markets.
WIBDECO, which has been the leading banana supplier to UK supermarkets for more than fifty years, is taking this new initiative to maintain their position in an increasingly competitive market.
A team of consultants from Global Strategy Group based in Florida which have been contracted by WIBDECO, visited Grenada from May 19th – 21st to hold discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture, other Government agencies, agro-processors, farmers, farmers’ organizations and other relevant entities and institutions in Grenada.
Meeting with the consulting team on the 21st Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mrs. Gemma Bain Thomas said that the distribution of plants would take place next month in time for the planting season.
One of the consultants said that farm level business organization needs to be addressed. He said there is a need for deeper intervention by the Ministry and greater involvement with lending institutions to get the small subsistent farmers into commercial farming.
The team will visit the other Windward Islands over the next few weeks for meetings with the Agricultural sector.
