PR – The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries and Cooperatives encourages all registered livestock farmers to express their interest in Grenada’s Food Security Enhancement Project.
This World Bank Funded US $10 million project is comprised of several strategic components, each designed to strengthen and upgrade Grenada’s agriculture sector. A pivotal aspect of this project focuses on the livestock sector, with the intent to enhance the quality and productivity of livestock breeds on the island.
“All registered livestock farmers are encouraged to get on board,” said Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries and Cooperatives, Aaron Francois.
The primary aim of this component is to raise the bar for livestock quality through the implementation of a hybrid breeding programme. The target livestock categories are pigs, sheep, and goats as the Ministry plans to import high-quality hybrid genetic material to further augment local livestock populations.
To achieve this goal, the Ministry is dedicated to establishing three cutting-edge breeding centres across Grenada. The centres will be located at Laura Goat Facility for small ruminants, Mirabeau Farm School for pigs, and Carriacou for small ruminants and pigs. These breeding centres will be the cornerstone of the island’s enhanced livestock breeding efforts.
As part of this initiative, an accomplished animal breeder will be engaged to manage and execute the breeding programme. The intended outcome is the multiplication of hybrid animals, which will then be offered for sale to farmers.
Additionally, the Ministry’s approach extends to identifying select farmers as direct beneficiaries, supplementing the broader breeding centres. “We are going to select special farmers as beneficiaries,” said Permanent Secretary Francois. “These farmers will be chosen based on criteria such as facility quality, registration status, and a successful track record in animal production.”
Farmers selected to participate in the programme will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), outlining their responsibilities and commitments. One of the integral components of the MOU pertains to community engagement – beneficiaries are also expected
to make breeding animals available to their communities, thereby collectively contributing to the enhancement of the island’s livestock.
The Food Security Enhancement Project also encompasses the reintroduction of artificial insemination in cattle. The Ministry will import quality semen to drive this initiative, presenting an opportunity for cattle farmers to participate in a programme that has the potential to yield substantial benefits in value and productivity.
“We are making the call to all cattle farmers; you are welcomed to participate and there are huge benefits to be derived from participating in the artificial insemination programme. The offspring of these animals can bring great benefit in terms of value to farmers, so we encourage them to reach out to us and to participate,” said Francois.
Interested parties are invited to contact the Ministry at 440-2708 or visit their extension offices for further details on how to be a part of this transformative initiative.
