Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that is anticipated to increase technical collaboration in the agriculture sectors. Grenada’s Adrian Thomas- Minister of State with responsibility for Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries and Cooperatives and SVG’s Sabato Caesar, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry & Labour signed the agreement on the sidelines of the 7th OECS Council of Ministers: Agriculture Meeting.
The Technical Cooperation Agreement cements the existing relationship between the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries, and Cooperatives (Grenada) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry & Labour (St Vincent and the Grenadines).
“It is very important that from our level we establish and consolidate what has been happening for a long while…. We have just imported over 6,000 pounds of yams from St Vincent to provide planting material for the farmers. A lot of planting material will also be coming from St Vincent and will be supplied to Grenadian farmers for the Food Security Enhancement project,” remarked Senator Adrian Thomas.
The arrangement will also provide support for Grenada’s Artificial Insemination programme, which will promote a working relationship where both countries can be leaders in the export of livestock to other countries.
“This signing will assist with the establishment of a cocoa condiments and spices subsector in St Vincent and the Grenadines and assistance for Grenada’s livestock and root crops sectors,” explained Sabato Caesar.
The agreement will also foster a working relationship with technicians from both countries to ensure that their food import bills are reduced.
Witnessing the signing of the Technical Agreement was the Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, Dr Didacus Jules.
Commending the reestablishment of the almost ten-year agreement Dr Jules described the agreement as,” A multi-million-dollar agreement; in terms of trade, livestock, and expertise.”
