Grenada’s efforts to combat land degradation have been highlighted at the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 23) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Panama.
National Focal Point Joseph Noel, Grenada’s representative at the meeting, highlighted the country’s experience with this climate reality, as he presented his statement at the international meeting in Panama last week.
“Pressures on land for agriculture, housing, infrastructure and tourism development continue to intensify alongside the devastating impacts of climate change and climate variability,” Noel said, underscoring the need for sustainable land management policies to protect the nation’s food security and fragile landscapes.
While these realities exist for Grenada, the UNCCD Focal Point suggested 3 main undertakings by the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry, with support from partners, to safeguard the country’s food security while protecting our fragile landscapes.
Among the projects listed are the Caricom 25 by 25+5 Initiative, Caribbean SOILCARE Phases I & II, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), executed by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) in partnership with FAO and the Caribbean Soil Information System (CARSIS).
Noel also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to meeting the Performance Review and Assessment of Information System (PRAIS) reporting obligations.
Noting the challenge that exists with limited data availability, insufficient technical capacity, and the need for harmonised methodologies in small-island contexts, he said the country remains thankful to organisations such as the “Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management and Apacheta that have been supporting the country to have access to SIDS-specific, high-resolution datasets are both achievable and useful.”
Grenada continues to strengthen its national land governance systems and reinforce its international partnerships, as the country advances towards its target of Land Degradation Neutrality.
Ministry of Agriculture
