Agriculture & Fisheries Senator GRENADA

  As Senator for Agriculture and Fisheries, I have been invited by the Grenada Conference of Seventh-day Adventists to speak during their National Prayer Caravan which began at 8:30 am today, 25 September. I will speak at 4:15 pm relative to our farmers and fishers within the present Covid-19 environment.  I invite our farmers and fishers to join in anytime during the day to the prayer caravan at the link below, to pray and support prayers on behalf of our nation at this difficult time. As Senator for Agriculture and Fisheries, I support the efforts of the Ministry of Health and the nation’s frontline workers, to keep the country safe in this unprecedented time. I am also grateful that Grenada’s agriculture and fisheries sectors remain on call to support our nation’s food security, and I appeal to our nation’s farmers and fisherfolk to adhere to the Covid-19 protocols and keep safe.  Please tune in at 4:15 pm when I will speak directly to them.  Zoom: https://us02web...

18 SEPTEMBER, 2020, ST. GEORGE’S: 16 September 2021 marked one year since I was elected by our Farmers and Fisherfolk to represent them as their Senator for Agriculture and Fisheries in the Upper House of the Grenada Parliament. Representing them in Parliament is a new experience that I am learning from every day. I am grateful for their trust in me.  I am listening to the voices of our Farmers and Fisherfolk as we strengthen bonds at all levels to find solutions, by exploring opportunities, and seeking redress on their behalf. Together, we are building stronger organisations and networks from the ground up towards a better life for them, their families and the nation. I thank all the Farmers and Fisherfolk, the line Ministers and staff at the ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries, Senator colleagues, the media and the general public for their insight, assistance, and guidance provided thus far.  I am grateful that Grenada’s agriculture and fisheries sectors remain on call...

  12 AUGUST 2021, ST GEORGE’S: Senator the Honourable Roderick St Clair, representative in Parliament of the agriculture and fisheries communities, is very pleased to learn of the appointment of Trevor Thompson as the Acting Chief Agriculture Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture.  From Monday, 9 August 2021, Trevor Thompson, a 36-year veteran at the ministry, was appointed to act as Chief Agriculture Officer.  In June, Senator St Clair posed a question for the Leader of Government’s Business, Senator the Honourable Simon Stiell, regarding the position of the Chief Agriculture Officer, vacant since Daniel Lewis retired in July 2020. Senator St Clair applauds Agriculture Minister Peter David in overcoming a major hurdle within the ministry. This appointment of a dedicated public officer, is a positive move for the ministry and of course, for the farming community.  Senator St Clair wishes Trevor Thompson all the best in his new role, and encourages the Ministry of ...

  In the Senate on Wednesday, 14 July 2021, Senator the Honourable Roderick St Clair would ask the Leader of Government Business, Senator the Honourable Simon Stiell the following questions on:  • The status and operations of the Praedial Larceny Fund  • Corporate Plan for the Ministries of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries • Types and number of scholarships awarded to Grenadians in the field of Agriculture and Fisheries and their related fields over the past ten (10) years, and status of the awardees.  Senator St Clair will also make contributions to the  • COVID-19 Cancellation of Carnival August Celebrations Bill, 2021  • Police (Amendment) Bill, 2021  • Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2021.   END

  The Senate Order Paper of the 10th Parliament 4th Session to be held on Wednesday, June 02, 2021 at 9 am, lists a petition by Senator the Honourable Roderick St. Clair on behalf of farmers, for the review of the existing agreement between the Government of Grenada and the Caribbean Agro Industries Limited so that farmers can have more affordable feed.  The Senator has questions for the Leader of Government’s Business, Senator the Honourable Simon Stiell, unanswered at Sitting of the Senate held on Wednesday January 27, 2021, concerning Praedial Larceny, Farmers ID, and vendors; land policy; fisheries ice machines through a grant from the Japan International Cooperation System (JICS); the National Poultry Policy and finally on the Pestilential activities of rodents.  Senator St. Clair poses three new questions for the Leader of Government’s Business, which require written responses on the Praedial Larceny Fund; the Farm Machinery Pool of the Ministry of Agriculture and t...

  3 MAY 2021, ST GEORGE’S: In keeping with his stated approach in representing farmers and fishers, Senator for Agriculture and Fisheries, Roderick St. Clair, held a consultation with the Livestock and Poultry Farmers on 8 April 2021 in the Deluxe Cinema, Grenville, St. Andrew. Farmers from various parishes representing rabbit, poultry, small ruminants, cattle and pigs were present.  Farmers highlighted the need for them to be working together and establishing a database so that farmers can stay in touch with each other and share information. The poultry farmers expressed concerns that their poultry association needs to be revamped to provide much-needed services through its office. There was a call for more significant support for livestock extension service from the Ministry of Agriculture, housing for small ruminants, fencing, and labour support through the Government’s IMANI programme. The high cost of livestock feed, possible dumping of frozen chicken (importation priced...

  As we in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique join the rest of the world in recognising World Earth Day under the theme Restore Our Earth, we need to engage in earth-caring practices because our earth is our life.  If we keep damaging the Earth, ie its soil, water, air, trees, and forests, it becomes more difficult for mankind to survive.  As a nation, we must engage in climate-smart practices: activities such as organic production methods, and activities that protect our biodiversity, generate less air and sea pollution and conserve our waterways and water supply. Such practices are critical to Grenada’s food security. Public education and awareness are also important, so we can live on the earth now, and leave the earth in a better position to support our future generations.  As Senator for Agriculture and Fisheries, I implore us to engage in earth caring practices today and every day. Let us protect the Earth for a better life now and in the future. Today w...

17 APRIL 2021, ST GEORGE’S: Senator for Agriculture and Fisheries, Roderick St Clair, insists Grenada must kickstart Praedial Larceny enforcement.  He recommends that the many government vehicles laid up for want of a spare part, be immediately fixed and put to use. Perhaps the police garage can be used to repair these vehicles, or the mechanics at the Mirabeau Farm Machine Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture. They have previously achieved a similar mission. St Clair recommends no less than 30 Praedial Larceny patrols with officers/wardens empowered to enforce the Praedial Larceny legislation. “In that way, thieves and vendors will be scared. Thieves will be scared because they will be subject to charges, fines, and imprisonment. Vendors will also be scared therefore they will ensure they purchase produce from legit sources, else they will also be subject to charges, fines, and imprisonment.”  He also recommends that the patrols, working with the police, conduct Praedial L...

Cell phones are not just for talking. In the hands of our farmers and fisherfolk, the power of this technology can forge new enterprise cultures in agriculture and fisheries, critical to overall productivity.  Affordable smartphones in the hands of our farmers mean they can  receive planting advice and disease diagnoses from the Ministry of Agriculture or CARDI weather information  be assisted with planning and coordination exchange information with other farmers (peer advice/assistance; knowing who is planting what and when to avoid a glut on the market)  inform supermarkets, hotels and wholesale buyers what they have in stock, and receive orders  receive payments via online banking through banks or credit unions. We need to take advantage of the profound effect that cellphone technology might have on Grenada’s efforts to reduce our import food bill, consistently deliver more produce at affordable prices, and support our national food security.  For much o...

  31 DECEMBER 2020, ST GEORGE’S: Over a 30-year period, on the advice of Her Majesty’s Grenada Ministers, Queen Elizabeth II has awarded 54 men and women for their service and contribution to agriculture, farming, fishing, agro-processing, horticulture, shipwright, seafaring, sugar, bananas, and poultry.  Grenada, our farmers and fisherfolk are doing their part to put food on our plates and we must be proud that they are being publicly acknowledged across the Commonwealth. I commend the nominating committee for including agriculture and fisheries for these awards, and for recognising and acknowledging these stalwarts in our communities. Our nation should be inspired by our homegrown heroes and motivated to grow what we eat, and eat what we grow.  This is the awardee list from 1987 – 2021 as taken from the London Gazette. The awards are  • CBE: Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire  • OBE: Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British...

“This week, Belize made its historic entry into poultry exports in the Caricom region by sending its first-ever shipment of chicken meat to Grenada.”  https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2020/12/25/belize-makes-historic-first-shipment-of-chickens-to-grenada/  I am frightened by this new development. My response is that we urgently need support to produce affordable poultry for our food security.  The survival of Grenada’s poultry industry is being threatened. Ongoing and new investments in poultry production in this country must be supported to be viable, and to be able to compete with imported products. Our local poultry farmers already find it difficult to compete with imported poultry, as feed prices contribute over 60% to their cost of production.  Grenada’s imports over $30 million in poultry products annually .  There needs to be a more supportive environment to make Grenada-grown poultry products more affordable. Then we can produce and consume more local ...

  2021 Grenada Senate Budget Debate, Day 2: Morning Session, Wednesday 16 December 2020. Rebuttal to Senator St Clair's presentation yesterday on agriculture and fisheries.

  Senator St Clair at Parliament for the Senate Budget Debate 15 DECEMBER, ST GEORGE’S: Senator for Agriculture and Fisheries Roderick St Clair, will be presenting today at the 2021 Grenada Senate Budget Debate. The 2021 Grenada Budget theme is Towards 2035: recovery, transformation (distinct change) and resilience – capacity to recover.  Senator St Clair will recognise positive accomplishments in Agriculture and Fisheries; highlight areas in the 2021 budget that are not beneficial to Agriculture and Fisheries and propose transformational approaches in terms of budget and policies for the development of Agriculture and Fisheries in the State of Grenada.  He will speak on Training – the human resource deficit in Agriculture and Fisheries, and the youth as the future of our food in Grenada. On Production and Export, he will address focus on key crops with extension support and connections to local and international markets, as well as airlift support for Agriculture and...

  The Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 Parties on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016 - so this is the 5th anniversary of the Agreement. The Agreement aims to limit the increase in global average temperatures to well below 2°C, preferably to less than 1.5°C.  The Agreement also recognises  • safeguarding food security and ending hunger  • vulnerabilities of food production systems and protecting food production. Grenada signed on the Paris Agreement in April 2016. Grenada’s food security, including fruit and vegetable production, will be affected by projected future climate change.  According to a 2018 report by an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, if temperatures rise to 1.5°C, 122 million additional people could experience extreme poverty by 2030 mainly due to higher food prices and declining health. So, keeping rises in temperature below 1.5°C, should see fewer climate extremes which is good news for farmers in the tropics,...

I am grateful that Grenada’s agriculture and fisheries sectors remain on call to support our nation’s food security.  Today’s Covid-19 crisis development reminds us all of the importance of ensuring that our farmers and fisherfolk adhere to the health protocols, to keep themselves, their families, workers and contacts safe.  As Senator for Agriculture and Fisheries, I support the efforts of the Ministry of Health and the nation’s frontline workers, to keep the country safe in this unprecedented time. I wish them to know they have my support and the full support of the farmers and fisherfolk in the fight against Covid-19. Their success against the spread of the coronavirus is our success - for the farmers, for the fisherfolk, and for our country.  I appeal to our nation’s farmers and fisherfolk to adhere to the protocols and keep safe.

  Good food brings people together.  As we begin to contemplate family recipes to enjoy this December, this is a great time to recognise the dedication of Grenada’s hardworking farmers and fisherfolk, bringing food to our tables. Whether you will be enjoying roast pork or baked chicken or stuffed fish, sweet potatoes or green beans, and ponche a crème, there’s more than one farmer or fisherfolk to thank for the food on your plate.  We are facing a crisis like never before with Covid-19. Times like these remind us all of the importance of ensuring our nation’s food security, and we are grateful that Grenada’s agriculture and fisheries sectors remain on call.  Support our farmers and fisherfolk this holiday season. Purchase locally grown vegetables, meats and seafood, and be assured of agriculture’s importance to our nation’s economy and to our quality of life.

23 NOVEMBER 2020: As Senator representing Agriculture and Fisheries, I commend the positive steps taken by 2 of the leading fish exporters in the country to partner with Government amidst the challenges brought about by Covid-19 on the Government’s revenue.   Fish is the No# 1 agricultural export which generates over EC$22 million annually. This timely repair work of the Grand Mal jetty will contribute to the safety of fisherfolks and their workers, and safely enable the fishers to continue to ply their trade, and exporters to be able to get fish for export!  I encourage others within the agriculture and fisheries sectors who are capable, to join hands with members of these sectors, and with Government, to take the necessary actions to enable their economic activity to flourish for the benefit of their families, workers and the country. At the same time, Government is encouraged to support agriculture and fisheries to the point that these sectors can grow and be able to assist...

  PRESS STATEMENT Farmers and Fisherfolks slighted in representation  on Grenada Tourism Authority Board 23 NOVEMBER 2020, ST GEORGE'S: The Senator representing the farming and fishing sectors is calling for better coordination between the tourism sector and the people he represents, following the naming of a new Board of Tourism with no official allocation for agriculture. “Our farmers and fisherfolks are disappointed by the fact that Government has appointed an eleven-member Board of the Grenada Tourism Authority without representation from the agriculture and fisheries sector,” said Senator Roderick St Clair. The appointment of this Board on November 1st 2020 took place even as the Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation calling for deep connections and deepened bonds with agriculture, during her speech to mark Tourism Awareness Month. At a September 2019 workshop held in Grenada to develop Grenada’s agro-tourism policy, Hon. Clarice Modeste-Curwen was reported as explaini...