Farmers in Carriacou and Petite Martinique are strengthening their agricultural resilience with the introduction of modern dripline and micro sprinkler irrigation equipment donated under the Challenge Fund for Agriculture (CFA).
Twelve farmers: 7 from Carriacou and 5 from Petite Martinique, collected their materials during a handing-over ceremony held at the Tyrell Bay Port in Carriacou. Making the presentation was Minister of Carriacou and Petit Martinique Affairs Honourable Tevin Andrews.
They are among up to 270 farmers benefitting from rainwater harvesting, micro- and drip-irrigation systems, and shade houses. The CFA is being administered by the Grenada Development Bank (GDB) and the Ministry of Agriculture through the Climate-Resilient Water Sector in Grenada (G-CREWS) project.
This milestone investment marks a significant step towards improving water efficiency, boosting crop productivity, and building climate-resilient farming across the sister isles.
Gifford Andrew, a farmer who produces short crops, is happy to receive the equipment. He said, “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to improve my farming practices. Currently, I am doing corn, lettuce, peppers, cabbage and tomato production. This equipment will help me produce more crop,s especially in the dry season.”
Among the beneficiaries are 3 female farmers, all from the sister isle of Petite Martinique, and they too are appreciative of the systems received. Kiola St Bernard farms year-round, and she is looking forward to installing her irrigation system. She said, “I do short crop production, and most of the time, I must purchase seedlings. The new irrigation system will allow me to produce my own seedlings on the farm. Thus, helping to boost my overall production.”
Minister Andrews welcomed the contribution, saying, “Certainly the equipment that has been handed over by the G-CREWS team to our farmers will assist in crop production and animal rearing on the island of Carriacou and Petite Martinique to support the excellent work our farmers are doing.”
Also in attendance was Permanent Secretary Leanwall Perrot, who urged farmers to make good use of the equipment. “I think we have a great opportunity to use this equipment, to produce more, to feed our people in Carriacou and Petit Martinique,” he said.
The 12 farmers were part of a recent irrigation installation training.
Witnessing the handover were GDB Consultant Derek Charles, GIZ Technical Advisor Tessa Charles, and representatives from the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, who have been providing support to the project and the farmers.
The G-CREWS project is jointly financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) under its International Climate Initiative (IKI), and the Government of Grenada.
The project aims to enhance climate resilience in Grenada’s water sector through a comprehensive transformation at various levels, fostering a paradigm shift for overall national resilience.
G-CREWS
