The 2nd workshop for the development of Nutmeg Sector Strategy for Grenada was held on Tuesday the 19th & Wednesday the 20th of April, 2009, at the Grenada National Stadium conference room. This strategy is being developed using the International Trade Centre (ITC).
It is market led, participatory stakeholder approach which focuses on the domestic, regional and international markets. It calls for sustainable economic and social progress, and is designed to improve the current situation while supporting competitive exports by achieving best value and generating additional opportunities for our farmers.
The Ministry of Agriculture is the counterpart for the programme in Grenada. A Strategy Development Coordinating Committee composed of public-private/ representatives and a sector support team supported the overall sector strategy design. The culmination will be a final implementation plan to be used to determine the way forward for the sector.
Senator Arley Gill Junior Minister in the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture, represented the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry at the Opening Ceremony. He emphasized the importance of this initiative by the Ministry, and stated that the Government is anxious to ensure the revitalization of the Nutmeg and Mace sector in Grenada. He was also high in praise for the recently launched farm labour support programme spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Prime Minister, the Honorable Tillman Thomas, also met with the participants of the workshop and gave government’s commitment to the process designed to revitalize the nutmeg sector of the country.
He reminded participants of the significant role the nutmeg industry has played in the economic development of the country and particularly in the rural economy, where many families have been able to educate their children from the income derived from the sector.
