LAUNCHING OF THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE AGRICULTURAL INITIATIVE
ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA
TUESDAY 9th JUNE, 2009

Salutations

Brothers and sisters, I am particularly pleased to be attending the launch of this important Agricultural initiative today. I view today’s launch of this important agricultural initiative as extremely timely. This launch is coming at a time when the entire world is challenged to stimulate their economies, to generate employment, to increase productivity, to provide safety nets to the disadvantaged and to ensure national food security.

It is also coming at a time when we in Grenada are recommitting to the growth and development to our agricultural sector. A sector, that has been seriously neglected over the past thirteen years. A sector, that has always played a significant role in our economy. A sector, that has sustained our rural development and has fuelled national consumption and growth in the past.

Today’s initiative also brings hope to our thousands of farmers and their families who are witnessing the transformation of agriculture from the backburner to its rightful place in our national economy. This is yet another fulfillment of our campaign agenda of change. We indicated that we will give support and provide motivation that our farmers need to feed the nation and to reduce the rising food import bill.

We specifically indicated that we will work with the Marketing and National Importing Board to enhance its market intelligence capability and to adequately market all farmers produce. We also indicated that we will use local fruits and vegetables in the school feeding programme. This programme being launched this morning speaks to all these commitments.

It is as a result of a collaborative process between the Ministry of Agriculture, the farmers of Grenada and the MNIB. This coming together of the important parties demonstrates the level of sectoral integration that is necessary if we are to make a difference in the lives of our farmers.

 As I understand it, the MNIB will be responsible for projecting demand, securing markets and guaranteeing competitive prices for a range of products.
The farmers will be responsible for the timely production of a high consistent quality of products. And the Ministry of agriculture will be responsible for the provision of critical support through the extension department to farmers.

With this model of collaboration, I am expectant that we will begin to transform the way we view and practice agriculture.  We need to pay attention to understanding consumer needs and how markets operate. We need to have an appreciation of the need for the production of high quality products in an efficient and cost effective manner.

We also need to understand pricing and the broader role that the farmer’s income plays in the stimulation of our local economy. This is very relevant, given the current economic depression that characterizes all economies of the world today. As I have articulated many times before, we now need to focus more on what things we can do internally as a people. Given the comparative fertility of our soils and our conducive climate, agriculture presents many possibilities.

We can increase our production levels and once again begin to feed our selves and our friends. We have done it before and we can do it again. I am also hopeful that we will continue to cement the integration between our agricultural sector, our education sector, our tourism sector and our health sector. These sector linkages are absolutely critical if we are to reap optimum benefits.

We need to eat more of what we grow.  We need to serve our visitors more of what we produce. We need to export as we used to. We need to process our fruits and we need to ensure that our children are taught the benefits of consuming what is obviously healthy and good for them.

As we launch this programme, I want to urge all stakeholders to give it your best shot. We have to make this work effectively. I know that we can. The farmers are depending on the MNIB, our hoteliers, our consumers and  the Ministry of Agriculture.

I want to thank all those who have worked hard to bring this programme to this point. All the various institutions that have collaborated together in making this possible. In particular, I want to thank Mr Brizan who continues to believe in the agricultural sector and who has championed this project.  I wish this project every success.

I thank you.