Grenada is now better poised to increase agricultural production and offer better quality and variety of crops, through the use of a fully automated greenhouse at the Chinese Demonstration Site, at La Sagesse, St David.
The greenhouse, which is the first of its kind in Grenada and the largest in the Caribbean, was commissioned on Thursday, in the presence of Minister for Agriculture, Lands and Forestry Hon Peter David; Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Grenada His Excellency, Wei Hongtian; and Parliamentary Representative for St David Hon. Oliver Joseph.
This smart facility realises the real-time monitoring, early warning, and regulation of the environment; creates suitable environmental conditions for crop growth and development, optimises the agricultural cultivation measures, and relieves the intensity of field labour, while improving productivity.
The Agriculture Minister underscored the importance of the greenhouse in ensuring food and nutrition security, particularly as the country manages the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. “I truly believe that this is the type of technology we need to invest in and promote, if we are to entice our youth to seriously pursue agriculture and make the sector more sustainable. This facility will be a model that can be adapted to fit the purpose and conditions of many producers to ensure that more of them use protected agriculture to produce many of our vegetables, ornamentals and horticultural crops,” Minister David remarked.
The Chinese Ambassador regards the existence of the greenhouse as a milestone for agricultural development and modernisation in Grenada. He said, “I think it will not only serve as a facility for agricultural services, experimentation, technological innovation, demonstration, training, research and promotion, but also as a new base for sightseeing and other activities to enhance people’s interest in agriculture.”
The Parliamentary Representative for St David noted that Grenada’s food import bill in 2019 was $350 million. He is grateful for the facility at La Sagesse, as he believes it will help in significantly decreasing that figure. “We must feed ourselves, in order to cut back on this huge food import bill and a greenhouse is one such technique,” Minister Joseph said. “This will help us to increase our production and ensure that we can produce what we eat right here in Grenada.”
Farmers’ Representative in the Senate Roderick St Clair foresees the transformation of the agricultural sector through use of this technology, especially with the effects of climate change. “We can have a model to show farmers that we can produce year-round under a controlled environment,” he said.
The commissioning of the greenhouse marked the end of the 7th phase of technical assistance and cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and Grenada, which was contracted to Hubei Dadi International Company for Economic Technical Cooperation (Group). A plaque of appreciation was handed over to Head of the Chinese Mission Shen Zhiwan for its contribution to the development of agriculture throughout the seventh phase of the technical cooperation agreement.
Ministry of Agriculture…ensuring food and nutrition security for all.
GIS
This greenhouse is a very good thing for Grenada. Contrary to a previous comment, it does not have a negative effect on the environment. The greenhouse allows specific crops to grow faster in a more controlled environment that allows for greater control over pests, weather, etc. Much of our food and flowers are grown in greenhouses around the world and in order for Grenada to compete in the farming space, it is important to embrace this method of growing food. Local farmers need to embrace this method.
Okay I see the story have been updated from earlier.
So this now state that its a ……Smart Greenhouse for Demonstration purposes only. Okay!
I think its good technology but not sure if Greenhouses in a Hurricane Zone is not high risk.
Also Keith Mitchell is endlessly pushing all the Global Warming BS and Climate Change Emergency BS, talking about Zero Carbon while his psychopathic Government have banned all affordable ICE cars over 10 years old.
As usual so many of these Environmental Computer Models, theories and agenda, favour the rich and hurt the poor.
But getting back to the Greenhouse, in order to get high yeilds most commercial Greenhouses inject CO2 to raise their environment from our ambient 400ppm to between 800-1200ppm. This allow much higher crop yeilds from a small piece of land.
So right here, with this Greenhose is a perfect example of CO2 lunacy, that exposes the flaws of Mitchell and his love affair with Climate Change doom and gloom policies and Zero Carbon in Grenada which have banned affordable cars
But just like the tyrannical political response we have seen with SarsCov2 which is a threat to just 0.03% of population, this Greenhouse will contradict Keith Mitchell and his recent crazy beliefs that vital Carbon..CO2 is a bad thing that is destroying Planet Earth.
As this Greenhouse will demonstrate, we need more CO2 than our low 417ppm not less, if we want higher crop yields to feed the poor people.
Anyhow thats my two penny’s worth.
Interesting project and I am not sure what was the motivation behind the project …..but in principle Greenhouses will produce food year round at higher yields than either growing in the open air or restricted cold weather seasons protected from pests.
This Greenhouse sounds like it uses all the Technology available, therefore I expect they will also have an enriched Carbon dioxide Greenhouse atmosphere which can increase crop growth an yeilds by 35-40%.
So it’s interesting given Keith Mitchell pet mission of Climate Change/Glo-Bull Warming and Zero Carbon emissions….. here is an actual Greenhouse project that will turn Keith Mitchell zero carbon upside down and….. produce more food from the very Carbon in the air and demonstrate that Carbon is a good thing for the environment and food production and everyone on Planet Earth.
Finally a food production project that have a lot of merit. What exactly are they intending to grow there…. vegetables, strawberries?
Not sure if this makes economic sense for Grenada but certainly from an Export market and demonstrating the high food yeild Carbon enriched Greenhouse produces, I like it.
There isn’t any useful information in this article which is nothing more than a press release. What I want to know is how much did it cost to build, how much does it cost to run it and as asked earlier will this be organic production, and where is the water coming from? What will be grown and how will it offset what’s imported? We need some serious investigative reporting.
I think it would off been more beneficial to the Grenadian people to have the Chinese government build us a factory instead off this green house so the local framers can have confidence in producing more local fruits and vegetables knowing they have a market for them instead off importing all these foods from other countries we have the best soil here
Thought Greenhouses are very bad for the environment. Are they aware of greenhouse gases? Are they going to use pesticides and artificial fertilizers on the vegetables etc in the greenhouse? Quick growing food is not healthy. We as Grenadians eat what in season. A health concious or an expertise on food knows that’s the best way of eating. Greenhouse so you get fruits/vegetables year round. This is too much..
I will still rather give my money to the local farmers. I value them and will always. They are there first and need to make a living.
I think what you refer to is the Atmosphere and the Carbon Cycle…. Greenhouse Effect.
That is more bogus scaremongering by the Environmental Grifters who claim Greenhouse gases are overheating the Earth, when its simply part of Earths Natural Cycle of warming and cooling.
Like you I am curious what Imported food will be grown here. Guess the Chinese have money to burn on this project.
If everyone under these comments are so concerned about the locals, why didn’t you invest in the project yourself. How many of you actually support local 100% of the time??? typical Grenadians always wait until someone else gets the job done then sit back and complain…
Yep, Real Talk. Soon as someone does something in Grenada the Armchair Critics chimes in.
Or if they think there is money in it, hell they start up the exact same business next door, to compete with you. Hahaha.
Still its the first I am learning about this project, it has its pros and cons and I try not to be a big cheerleader or a critic but give my honest balanced opinion about it.
I wish them success with this Venture.
Pat on the back , for that Kesri, good show!! I congratulate them on the effort, at least there is movement, keep moving one cautious step at a time. eye on the goal
If more of these fully automated greenhouses are built and operated, how many local farmers are going be put out of business and how many farm laborers are projected to lose their jobs? What alternative job training is being provided for these citizens?
Good point regarding destroying Local Produce and Jobs.
Yet, I am amazed at prices in Grenada, I can actually buy Plantains in Toronto and London cheaper than the Local people can in Grenada. How the hell can anyone justify the current high food prices in Grenada?
But its not Grenada alone, I see the same thing when I am the Philippines.
It wasn’t even a local company to build it so no experience or money going to the locals.
Please tell us EXACTLY what crops that are IMPORTED to Grenada can be grown inside the greenhouse but nowhere else on the island??
If you are just growing the same crops and not replacing an imported product not much use.
DO NOT start growing Chinese crops in these greenhouses either. These are to benefit the locals NOT the Chinese.
Jen, like you I question the viability of this project but knowing the Chinese they probably did a Cost Benefit SWOT Analysis.
I think there are many Positives, new Jobs and Opportunities to learn high tech Greenhouse food Production.
Like the recent Solar Air Con project announced here, I think these are positives and long term employment opportunities for Grenadians.