Grenada’s Ministry of Agriculture acknowledges IICA’ role in supporting growth of agricultural sector

Lennox Andrews, the Minister of Agriculture, Lands, and Forestry for Grenada, emphasized the vital role played by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in the country over the past forty years. According to an IICA press release, he highlighted the institute’s ongoing efforts to enhance the sustainability and climate resilience of agricultural practices across the Caribbean region.

Andrews took part in the inauguration of IICA’s new office in Grenada, which now shares premises with the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM).

“The Ministry of Agriculture fully recognises the strategic importance of this work. As a Government, we are committed to creating an enabling environment where our partners can operate effectively and remain fully engaged on the ground in Grenada. Facilitating accommodation and institutional support for organizations such as IICA and PISLM is part of that commitment. Physical presence matters. When our partners are here, accessible and integrated, collaboration becomes easier, coordination improves, and implementation is accelerated. We do not see these institutions as external actors. We see them as integral partners in achieving our national agricultural objectives,” the Minister stated.

The event was also attended by Isaac Bhagwan, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, along with other officials from the ministry and from the Ministry of Climate Resilience, Environment, and Renewable Energy. Representatives from various partner organizations were also present. Gregg Rawlins, IICA’s representative for the Eastern Caribbean States (ECS), which includes Grenada, was among the attendees.

Minister Andrews described the opening as a “platform for renewed thinking and innovation. In the current geopolitical climate, the need for regional strategies, regional solutions, and regional cooperation has never been more pressing.”

He also pointed out the importance of regional self-reliance, remarking, “Too often, small states look outward for answers to our food security and development challenges. While international partnerships remain vital, we must also look within – to our own institutions, our own technical capacity, and our own regional networks – to craft solutions that are suited to our realities.”

Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry is collaborating with IICA Grenada on three major projects aimed at supporting key stakeholders within the agricultural sector.

One such project is the Water Resource Management and Improved Irrigation initiative, executed in partnership with the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean. The project aims to provide water access to 25 farmers managing 75 acres of land in La Poterie, St. Andrew, through the construction of a simple dam and the laying of four miles of pipeline.

Another project involves the development of a Seamoss Drying Facility and Packaging House in La Calome, St. David, with funding primarily from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The initiative will establish three drying structures for seamoss and include a grinding machine to produce powdered seamoss, supporting local farmers and processing capacity.

A third effort is in the planning stages, involving a proposed Memorandum of Understanding between IICA Grenada, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Rural Development Unit. The goal is to bolster the Grenada Association of Beekeepers, focusing on strengthening organizational and technical skills within the apiculture sector.

Minister Andrews reaffirmed the government’s commitment to deepening partnerships, emphasizing that “together, we can strengthen technical capacity, promote sustainable land stewardship, improve laboratory services, and ensure that our farmers, agro-processors, youth entrepreneurs, and rural communities receive the support they need to thrive.”

During the office’s inauguration, Gregg Rawlins, IICA’s Eastern Caribbean representative, stressed the organization’s ongoing dedication to supporting Grenada’s agricultural development.

He noted that the new office signifies more than just a change of address; it symbolizes a renewed commitment to cooperation, innovation, and sustainable growth. Rawlins remarked, “Today is more than just a change of address for the IICA Delegation in Grenada. It marks a new chapter in the story of IICA in Grenada – building on a legacy spanning more than 40 years of progress, and renewed commitment to our mission. This year, we celebrate 45 years of service to the agricultural sector in Grenada. For the last four decades, the focus of IICA’s technical cooperation work in Grenada has been on strengthening agricultural resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability through strategic partnerships with national and regional institutions.”

He further explained that IICA’s work over the past four decades has focused on fostering resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability through strategic partnerships with regional and national institutions.

Gregory Delsol, a Technical Specialist at IICA Grenada, shared insights into the tangible impacts of the organization’s work. He highlighted initiatives aimed at capacity building and strengthening value chains, including efforts in agricultural health and food safety, such as projects related to African Swine Fever preparedness and the European Union-funded SPS program.

Delsol also discussed support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance trade readiness and product quality, as well as initiatives in territorial development, family farming, sea moss processing, irrigation upgrades, white potato research, and apiculture development. IICA indicated that these efforts collectively promote innovation, climate resilience, and institutional strengthening to boost Grenada’s food security and agricultural transformation.

The new office, situated at #594 Concordia House, Archibald Avenue, St. George’s, also functions as the headquarters for the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM). This reinforces collaboration among institutions dedicated to environmental sustainability and climate resilience across the region.

Dr. Ronen Francis, Executive Director of PISLM, expressed that the opening signifies more than just establishing a physical space.

“Today marks far more than just the opening of an office, it marks institutional maturity, it marks political confidence and it marks a decisive step forward for Caribbean cooperation on land, soil and climate resilience,” he stated.