Representative for the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in the Eastern Caribbean Greg Rawlins visited Permanent Secretary Isaac Bhagwan in the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Forestry, and Marine Resources on Tuesday, 19 November.
The productive discussion centred around strengthening the ongoing collaboration between IICA and the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Forestry, and Marine Resources, particularly considering Grenada’s efforts to enhance food security and resilience in the agricultural sector.
“I am pleased to finally meet Mr Rawlins in person and to compliment the important work that IICA has been doing in Grenada,” said Permanent Secretary (PS) Bhagwan. “This meeting is significant as it gives us an opportunity to review the status of current projects, explore new initiatives, and align our strategic plans for 2025. We are especially grateful for IICA’s continued support following Hurricane Beryl, which has been invaluable in rebuilding the agricultural sector.”
PS Bhagwan also highlighted the importance of aligning the efforts of key partners in the national development priorities. “Collaboration with agencies like IICA is vital because it ensures that the Ministry’s strategic plans are complemented by the technical and financial resources that these organisations bring. The ability to access these resources while ensuring they support the government’s goals for agriculture, food security, and climate resilience is critical as we move forward with the plans laid out in Grenada’s National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP), Caricom’s 25 by 25 initiative, and our own sectoral goals.”
“IICA’s continued partnership with the ministry will ensure that Grenada can continue to build on its agricultural potential; by working together, we can enhance productivity, create rural prosperity, and position Grenada as a leader in food security in the region,” PS Bhagwan added.
As part of IICA’s ongoing hurricane relief efforts, Rawlins confirmed that the institute will hand over poultry (layer and broiler chicks) and feed to local farmers on Wednesday, 20 November, in collaboration with the ministry.
This donation aims to support farmers impacted by Hurricane Beryl in helping them rebuild their poultry operations. In addition, IICA is facilitating the shipment of seeds from Chile, which will be distributed to farmers in Grenada as part of a broader initiative to bolster food production.
Rawlins pointed out that the meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss several key IICA initiatives, including the Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity (CAPA) Project and the Last Mile Project. He highlighted the importance of building capacity within Grenada’s agricultural sector through training and human resource development. “We are committed to working closely with the Ministry to ensure that our technical support is aligned with the country’s agricultural priorities,” Rawlins stated. “IICA’s role is to complement and support the government’s efforts by ensuring that our resources and expertise are directed where they are most needed. This collaboration is crucial as we work to improve food security, resilience, and the overall productivity of Grenada’s agriculture.”
The meeting also underscored the importance of strategic collaboration between key stakeholders in the agricultural sector. As Grenada continues to face the challenges of climate change, IICA’s technical and financial support will be vital in ensuring the country’s agricultural sector is able to recover and thrive. The discussions also focused on ways to improve linkages between agriculture, tourism, and other sectors to foster broader economic growth.
Both IICA and the Ministry of Agriculture remain committed to collaborating closely in 2025 and beyond to achieve the goals set out in Grenada’s agricultural development plan and the region’s broader food security initiatives.
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Forestry and Marine Resources
