Local News

NDC Government at work

St. George’s, September 27, 2011 – A nation capable of feeding itself; a nation where everyone has access to sufficient safe, healthy and nutritious food.

That is the vision of the National Democratic Government of Grenada; and it is the passion of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to fulfill that vision as mandated by the cabinet.

The government and ministry, understanding that agriculture cannot be developed without the support of all interest groups, have maintained and strengthened relationships with such organizations as the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA); the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI); the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); and several other global and regional groups concerned with the development of agriculture.

However, while the ministry is the catalyst to drive the sector, the bottom line is production; and the people who will realize that production are the farmers, fisher folk and agro-processors.

Therefore, government and the ministry insist and articulate at every opportunity that agriculture and agro-processing must be approached as a business, and not just as a past-time or a mere involvement.

This is the reason why the term “agri-business’’ is now being preferred as a reference to the agriculture and agro-processing sectors.

In order to promote this professional attitude to agriculture, over the last few years the Ministry of Agriculture has been working with IICA, CARDI, the FAO and the Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and Americas (FAVACA) to provide training for farmers and agro-processors. The training has been designed to improve the management of their operations.

The Grenadian trainees have been instructed in business and management principles; marketing strategies; quality assurance and quality control; bookkeeping; and a number of other related areas.

Because of the diversity of its departments and divisions, the Ministry of Agriculture has the challenge of focusing on several different things at the same.

It is a challenge that is, however, welcomed by NDC MP for St. David and Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Michael Denis Lett; Permanent Secretary Aaron Francois; and all the senior officers and operatives of the ministry.

Since agriculture was identified as a focus area for national development in 2008 by the new NDC administration, innovations and development have taken place in a number of important spheres.

Here is a list of some of what has been done by the Government of the National Democratic Congress.

§  The reestablishment of artificial insemination in cattle. To date almost 20 calves have been born through this process and several more are underway.

§  The Forestry Division has been involved in extensive replanting of forest areas damaged by Hurricanes Ivan and Emily in 2004 and 2005.

§  Significant work is being done in the areas of animal, plant and watershed conservation and sustainable use of forest resources.

§  The Fisheries Division has established a number of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Grenada and Carriacou to ensure the preservation of our marine resources.

§  The new fishing complex at Gouyave, St. John, is ahead of schedule and will be delivered before the end of 2011.

§  A number of young people has been trained in the operation and maintenance of small farm machinery. They have been deployed, with the machines, to various agricultural districts to provide machine services to farmers.

§  The government has given significant financial support to the Grenada Cocoa Association to enter into a partnership to acquire the Diamond Estate in St. Mark. Final arrangements are being made to commence processing cocoa right here in Grenada.

§  The cocoa sub-sector has also benefited immensely from the Farm Labour Support initiative of government.

§  Hundreds of acres of cocoa and nutmeg lands and fruit orchards have been cleaned, pruned and drained. One benefit of the programme has been that cocoa production skyrocketed and has now reached pre-Ivan level for the first time since the hurricane. Of course this means more income for farmers.

§  The Agriculture Extension Division is in the process of being reorganized and restructured to provide more comprehensive and complete service to farmers.

These, and a host of other developments in agriculture, have been achieved by the government and ministry.

However, while these visible achievements are impressive, the ministry is most proud of the change of attitude to agriculture that is now evident in Grenada.

We must give well-deserved praise to the nation’s farmers who have answered the call to become more active, produce more and help agriculture to rise to prominence once again.

Today, under the NDC, there is new respect for agriculture; new optimism and greater expectations. They are all good signs for the building of a modern, progressive and vibrant sector which will help lead economic development throughout Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

But all of us – farmer and non-farmer, government and non-governmental organization – must play our role in the development process. We must do whatever we are called upon to do, including eat more local foods.

Consume local fruits, vegetables, ground provisions and meat products, thereby ensuring that we are eating more healthy food and cutting down on our huge import bill.

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