Hundreds of thousands of dollars will be invested in improving Grenada’s food security, as Government commits to increasing the availability of locally-grown food on the island.
This disclosure was made by Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Peter David. Minister David, at the virtual celebration of the United Nations’ internationally recognised World Food Day event on Friday, 15 October 2021.
This year’s celebrations were held under the theme: “Our actions are our Future: Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.”
The Agriculture Minister’s remarks underlined Government’s dedication towards better agricultural production. He said, “Government has approved a 10-year rehabilitation plan for the Grand Bras Estate. An initial sum of around EC$500,000 will be invested by the end of 2021 and an equivalent sum will be allocated to this initiative in 2022.”
Additionally, he said “Government continues to work with a private sector investor to develop the Bellevue Estate into a profitable economic unit that creates sustainable livelihoods for persons in rural communities, generate increased levels of foreign exchange from the export of economic crops, and bolster our food security through the expansion of staple crops.”
Minister for Fisheries Hon Yolande Bain-Horsford, delivering remarks at the ceremony, advised that Grenada model its food security strategy to synchronise with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals; namely, SDG 1 – No poverty, SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, and SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities.
“It is important to note that the nutritional status is a measure of the health condition of all individuals, as affected primarily by the intake of food and utilisation of nutrients. The nutritional value of fish consumption is supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation. I encourage all to consume healthy foods and include frequent exercise; this has proven to enhance lives and livelihoods” she remarked.
FAO’s Trade and Market Officer for the Caribbean, Juan Cheaz, spoke of his organisation’s support to member states in dealing with challenges that can potentially prevent better production, nutrition, environments, and livelihoods.
He said, “To achieve this, we need to preserve our biodiversity, address and mitigate the impact of climbing prices and produce the food we eat in a sustainable way.”
The World Food Day celebration began with the opening ceremony at the Ministry of Works Conference Rook and continued with feature presentations, where input suppliers, technologies in agriculture, and contributors to Grenada’s food systems were recognised.
Ministry of Agriculture… ensuring food and nutrition security for all
GIS
My comments above is looking at the the agricultural sector as a business. We have to encourage the population to eat locally grown produce. This will be the supply side. Our ability to forecast or market that need comes from probably marketing board and local manufacturers. Farmers should not produce crops by guessing the needs of the population. We should pass that stage. Let’s get to another level and develop a system of demand and supply.
We developed the taste for Kentucky and Macdonald’s. Vegetables should occupy 3/4 of our plate at lunchtime
I need more details of these projects and as one of the commentary above asked , what benefits farmers will get from them.
I hope that projects with marketing incentives that provide sale for farmers’ crops will be a major pull for the industry.
What about the idea of privatizing part of agricultural extension. If farmers see their activities as an investment and a business why can’t they pay for part of it? We need that reliability in our markets that will pull this sector out of being a mere past time to one of an investment where a return is expected.
How can farmers have access to reliable marketing information? How reliable is marketing board with respect to this issue? What about local manufacturers?
What’s about our capacity to buy and store vegetables. I know we will have a cost factor here but we have an abundance of sunshine. We can make use of that: buy, store and sell vegetables to our local markets.
We have to satisfy our local markets first. We have to encourage our people to eat vegetables. We have the television, radio and mobile phone . These are major communication tools in transmitting information to people. This will create the demand necessary for the business acumen required by our farmers- This is a business.
WHO actually benefits from improvements to Grand Bras and Bellevue estate? Who owns the land? Who will take the profits from sales? Why are you spending money here instead of assisting individual farmers to make a living??