St. George’s, December 10, 2009 – The Ministry of Agriculture has a plan for the agricultural sector that includes greater emphasis on agro-processing, says agricultural official Ferron Lowe.
 
 “There is good news on the horizon. You must never get distracted,’’ Mr. Lowe told a group of about 20 St. Mark farmers, including three women.
 
 They had gathered at the Bonaire Government School to receive packages of seeds donated by members of the Toronto Support Group of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
 
 Each farmer received a package of green and red peppers, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, broccoli, cauliflower and okra. Others, who were not present, will also receive packages. A presentation, too, has to be made to farmers in Carriacou.
 
 The seeds’ programme, an idea of NDC Toronto member Richard Decoteau, was embraced by the group which decided to run it as a pilot project, starting with St. Mark and Carriacou.
 
 Mr. Lowe, policy advisor in the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized that the project is non-partisan. “This is not for NDC supporters. This is for Grenadians and the seeds are to sustain our basic needs,’’ he said.
 
 Both Mr. Lowe and St. Mark resident Osbert James, who assisted with the distribution of the seeds, urged the farmers to think more seriously about the business aspect of their profession.
 
 “We want farmers to see farming as a business,’’ said Mr. James, the Farm Roads Liaison Officer in the Ministry of Works.
 
 He promised that follow up with farmers will be done to monitor the success of the programme. Mr. James also thanked NDC Toronto members for the donation of seeds.
 
 Mr. Lowe outlined some of government’s plans for reviving agriculture and assisting farmers, including a new focus to be placed on banana production, tackling the problem of stray animals destroying farmers’ crops, and guaranteed prices and soft loans for farmers who are contracted by the Winfresh company.
 
 Winfresh, which is owned by Grenada and the other three Windward Islands, recently purchased a facility in La Sagesse, St. David, to begin processing mangoes, guava and other agricultural products – some to be exported to an ice cream-making plant in the United Kingdom.
 
 Mr. Lowe said Winfresh has already employed a number of workers who are now clearing and cleaning the facility and its adjacent 10 acres.
 
 During a question and comment session, one farmer said that Mr. Lowe gave them hope, while others spoke of the need for crop insurance, encouraging more people to engage in farming and for greater investment in agriculture.
 
 All the recipients were grateful for the seeds as summed up by one person who said: “We’re very thankful for the seeds that you’re distributing to the farmers.’’ 
 
 

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