Agriculture
Agriculture
T
he Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries, has a mandate to contribute
to the economic growth and sustainable
development of Grenada.
This mandate places agriculture as one of the
pillars of Grenada’s economy as the country
focuses on achieving a significant level of food
security and economic growth from this sector.
While Grenada has recovered well from two
hurricanes in 2004 and 2005, in various sectors,
the agricultural sector was an exception.
Nevertheless, the Ministry is committed to the
revitalization of the sector so as to restore its
contribution to the socio-economic development
of the country.
The renewed emphasis on agriculture focuses
on a replanting programme for nutmegs, much
of which was destroyed following Hurricanes
Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005), rehabilitation
of the cocoa industry and supporting value
additions, expanding livestock development
(especially small ruminants) and expanding
fruit orchards. Efforts are being made to
get as much idle lands as possible under
cultivation.
• Collaborating with regional and
international agencies including
CARICOM, OECS, CARDI, IICA, FAO, EU
and GEF;
• Evaluating and strategizing to improve
the management and delivery of all its
function.
THE MINISTRY IS COMPRISED OF THE FOLLOWING
DIVISIONS:
• Administration
• Agronomy
• Bio Technology & Research
• Extension
• Fisheries
• Forestry
• Land Use
• Farm Machinery/Mechanization
• Pest Management
THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE HAS RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THE FOLLOWING: • Veterinary and Livestock
• Implementation of the National
Forestry Policy;
• Translating and implementing other
national policies relating to its mandate;
The development and management of
an agricultural strategic plan;
• Developing and implementing
programmes that are economically
viable, socially acceptable and
environmentally sound;
• Supporting programmes that would
contribute to the economic and social
well being of stakeholders;
• Creating and maintaining an environment
for enhancing productivity and
competitiveness in the agricultural
sector;
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• Education and training – developing
and implementing public awareness
programmes and training stakeholders;
In order to achieve these, the restructuring and
re-organization of the Ministry is necessary
in order to provide improved leadership and
support services.
• Implementing Grenada’s Agricultural Policy;
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• Facilitating the production of safe food;
• Produce Chemist Laboratory
• Tissue Culture Laboratory
STATUTORY BODIES ASSOCIATED
WITH THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
• Grenada Cocoa Association (GCA)
• Grenada Cooperative Nutmeg
Association
• The Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC)
• Minor Spices Association Despite
accounting for only six per cent of
Grenada’s GDP, agriculture makes a
significant contribution to the
livelihoods of most rural people. Sweet
potato, cassava, yam, maize, cabbage,
banana, golden apple and mango are a
mongst the main staple foods, while
nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric,
and ginger are the major spices grown
on the island. The principal exports i
nclude cocoa, nutmeg, mace,
cinnamon, banana, mango and avocado.
As part of The Windward Islands Group, bananas
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were traditionally a major export for Grenada,
but the dismantling of preferential trade
arrangements with the UK/European Union in
the 1990s, coupled with the damage caused by
hurricane Ivan, negatively impacted production.
Banana producers have also suffered significant
losses due to the incidence of moko, black
sigatoka and yellow banana leaf spot disease.
Today, the fruit is grown primarily for the
domestic market and is no longer exported to
Europe.
Agiculture has been one of the fastest growing
livestock subsectors, with bee keepers exporting
their honey both regionally and internationally
and winning several prestigious international
awards for the quality honey produced on island.
Poultry, sheep, goats, pigs and cattle are the
main livestock reared on a small scale. To
promote the livestock sector, improved breeds
of goat have been imported to develop the goat
milk and meat industry. Livestock technicians
have also been trained in artificial insemination
of cattle, while the government is encouraging
increased poultry production in order to reduce
the high imports of poultry meat.
Looking to the future, the ministry of Agriculture
has identified research and development as one
of their major priorities. In Grenada, the Caribbean
Agricultural Research and Development Institute
(CARDI) is currently focused on fruit tree crop
research and conservation, and production
and distribution of hot pepper and vegetable
planting material. The development of dwarfing
technology for golden apple has been one of
the Institute’s major achievements and on-farm
demonstration plots are being established to
transfer the system to the island’s farmers.
Food quality and safety has also been given
a high priority by the MoA in order to expand
export markets, particularly to the European
Union, in addition to the development of a
national germplasm bank and establishment
of manufacturing facilities to encourage
further agro-processing. The ultimate vision
is for a globally competitive agriculture sector,
that ensures food security and sustainable
livelihoods for the nation and farmers whilst
maintaining a level of organic integrity and
economic efficiency.
Government at this time is looking to privatize
many of its government owned farms. For more
information contact the ministry of Agriculture. BG
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