CATEGORY:POLITICS
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INSIDE GRENADA
NOVEMBER 15, 2007


(The following is a production of the Public Relations Department of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).


Michael Manley reminded us that: “Land is a basic resource of a people. It should never be out of national ownership and control.”
Adam Smith, the great economist, pointed out that the wealth of a nation lies in the land.

Agriculture and all those who depend on it totally or partially for a living received a body blow in 2004 and 2005 with the passing of Hurricanes Ivan and Emily. The fact that only 10 per cent of nutmeg farmers are now harvesting this specialty crop, and that unemployment rates have shot up in nutmeg growing and processing areas, indicate the negative impact of these natural disasters on our agricultural sector.

This calls for its rehabilitation with the full participation of our farmers, attracting young persons to commercial agriculture within a dynamic marketing environment and making the Ministry of Agriculture a supportive institution for our farmers.

We MUST therefore revive the agricultural sector, to include:
• Reorganizing the Ministry of Agriculture
• Investing in livestock and crop improvement
• Expanding the export potential of the fishing industry
• Promoting freshwater aquaculture
• Encouraging applied research at the University of the West Indies and St.
George’s University
• Providing technical and business training for young farmers
• Attracting young people to modern farming methods with greater application of science and technology.

Our farmers will be given the support and motivation they need in order to:

a. Feed the nation; reduce the rising food import bill which is now over
$140 million, and

b. Improve the quality of life of our impoverished rural communities.

To this end, we shall ensure that in relation to agricultural and farm implements and equipment, inputs and supplies, farmers are afforded similar levels of concessions as enjoyed by other sectors.

We shall explore the possibility of Crop Insurance for our farmers so as to afford them some protection in the event of storms, hurricanes, floods, mud slides and other natural disasters.

In conjunction with the private sector, we shall encourage and participate in direct investment in productive infrastructure including the construction of at least one major agro processing plant in St. Andrew’s. This will bring jobs to the rural youth, who are now unemployed or who have had to leave their home parishes in search of work in St. George’s.

The NDC will give maximum support to producers of our traditional crops of nutmeg and cocoa. We will also encourage the production of products that add value to these primary goods.

We shall undertake a complete reorganization of the Marketing and National Importing Board to adequately market all farmers produce. With the Board at the fulcrum, we shall establish a Nationwide Integrated Marketing and Information Network, which will introduce modern technology into the production and marketing processes of this sector.

An important consequence will be the removal from farmers of the burden of having to spend so much time finding markets for their produce.
In particular, we shall vigorously pursue the development of the nutmeg industry, so as to fully maximize the true potential of all of it’s by- products to add value to our agro industrial output and improve the well-being of our nutmeg farmers.

We will launch a campaign to diversify agriculture and to step up the production of bananas, exotic fruits like sour sop and golden apples, in addition to flowers, vegetables and minor spices.

Our Government will facilitate the revival of agriculture by passing the requisite legislation, providing training, facilitating mechanization and increasing access to capital.