Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698829475383.pdf (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
The Fisheries Sector in the state has realized the single largest cargo airlifted from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

This was realized when the Bequia Seafood Company exported 36,000 via the Argyle Interna- tional Airport.

This achievement was met within the context of key strategies outlined in the National Economic and Social Development Plan (NESDP) 2013 -2025 and the Draft Agri-Export Strategy Initiative for the agricultural and fisheries sector.
Three of these strategic interventions in the NESDP are to stimulate private sector investment in the agricultural sector and encourage public-private partnerships, increase market access for diversified agricultural produce and commercial- ize the agricultural and fisheries sectors.

Among several actions, the Draft Agri-Export Strategy Action Plan called for the leased of government-owned properties for the pur- pose of operating export facilities under PPP arrangements.
Hence, in phase 1 of this plan, Government earlier this year leased several of the Fisheries Centres.

These included the Bequia, Owia, Calliaqua, Barrouallie and Canouan Fisher- ies Centres.

Witnessing the shipment was Minister with responsibility for Fisheries, Hon.

Saboto Caesar.
Saboto Caesar.

In his remarks he noted that it was the quest of the Government to harness the re- sources within the blue economy and that over the last cou- ple of years, the Government has been working with the private sector to lease and operate the fisheries centres.

The Minister indicated that the refrigerated trucks donated 36,000 lbs of Seafood at AIA about to be shipped to the United States Hon.
Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Annette Marks– Executive Director of Invest SVG at AIA during seafood export operation.

Winston Wright-Ground Handling Manager, AIA Speaking to the media about the seafood shipping operation.

by the Government of Japan are used for the transportation of the 31,000lbs of yel- low fin tuna and 5000 lbs of conch from Bequia to the Argyle International Airport.
Minister Caesar encouraged fishers to take advantage of opportunities that are pre- senting themselves by investing in larger boats, for example, longliners and modern fishing technology to access international markets.

The Owia Fisheries Centre marketing under the name Vincy Pride and the Bequia Seafood Company have joint venture mar- keting arrangements with international companies and corpora- tions and have thus far exported for the first 9 months of 2018 309,060 lbs valued at EC$3,600,006.
Exports consists mainly of conch, yellow fin tuna and spiny lobster primarily to the USA, Dominica and Barbados.

The move to lease these centres to the private sector has impacted significantly on the output of the fish- eries centres on a whole when the 2018 figures up to September are compared with total output of 502,711lbs valued at EC$3,992,260 from all centres in 2017 as indicated in the table and graph.
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Total Weight (Lbs) Total Value (EC$) 138,683 276,428 160,666 146,001 212,079 281,828 315,604 224,954 502,711 $1,016,182.00 $1,935,513 $1,412,403 $1,188,796 $1,520,837 $2,361,668 $2,527,050 $1,756,313 $3,992,260 Both companies employ in excess of one hundred (100) persons the processing and packag- ing of the products.
in from The output the lease arrangement is ex- pected to increase the fisheries sector’s contri- bution to Gross Domes- tic Product in the short to medium term.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Transformation, Forestry, Fisheries, Industry and Labour in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) hosted a mission team under a Technical Coopera- tion Project looking at creating an enabling environment for Agri- Insurance provision in three Caribbean countries includ- ing St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The mis- sion, which was held from the 17th May – 22nd May 2018 focused on the following: 1.
Identification, assessment and facilitation of public-private arrangements that enable the implementation of agricultural insurance mechanisms.

2.

Strengthening of the technical capacities of pub- lic institutions to support the design and implemen- tation of appropriate and accessible risk transfer products.

3.

Strengthening of farmer understanding of agri- cultural insurance products, to ensure sufficient demand and uptake.
A farmers meeting was hosted by the Ministry to discuss a mechanism to facilitate the provision of agri-insurance in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Ministry is currently implementing project activities related to two projects.

1.

Irrigation Capacity Improvement to Improve Climate Resilience among Small Farmers - JCCCP Grant Funding - US$191,064.57.
The project objective is to enhance farmers' capacity to meet economic needs through installation of irrigation capacities on and off farm to im- prove their climate resilience through the adoption of climate smart strategies.

to to seeks tackle project establish mechanisms 2.

Climate Change Adaptation Project for Livestock Production.

JCCCP Grant Funding - US$55.555.56.


and This livelihoods of farm families due to increased intensity and frequency of the dry period, inadequate irrigation infrastructure and continued use of fossil fuel fertilizers on small farms.

The project aims to mitigate these issues by constructing small water harvesting systems on small livestock holdings to harvest rain water to be stored for later use.
Another aim of the project is the procurement of pelletizers to conserve better quality forage tropical breeds of small ruminants that can withstand the variation in temperature and the increase burden of endoparasites.

Two bio digesters have been installed on pig farmers' holdings to convert waste into usable energy for heating and electricity.

for periods of droughts or floods.


The provision of declining incomes resilient Several Pig Producers from Agricultural Region Three were exposed to the Ham-Making Process at the News Grounds Agricultural Station.

The objectives of the training session were to:  Build capacity in the sector among stakeholders (youth, farmers and Government staff)  Strengthen producers organisations to add value to their produce.

 Foster group cooperation and camaraderie.


The training session was facilitated by Dr. Col- leen Phillips, Veterinary Officer, Animal Health and Production Division (AHPD) and had participation from 9 farmers, 3 members of staff of the Animal Health Production Divi- sion and 2 members from the SVG Commu- nity College.

The next steps in the process were to evaluate the product which includes the cooked ham after 15 days and the dry cured ham after 9 months.
^ Dr. Coleen Phillips with participants during training activities in Ham making.

Primary poultry products (meat and eggs) are the major source of pro- tein in the Vincentian diet.

Hence poultry imports primarily meat rep- resent a significant trunk of our food import bill.

A review of data on chicken and poultry imports indicates that on average 6,354,211 kgs of whole chicken, neck, back and wings on other chicken parts valued at an average of EC$25,782,156.20 were imported between 2010 and 2014.
In terms of processed chicken products, an average 502,466.6 kgs valued at EC$3,324,875.6 were imported over the same period.

Cognizant of this fact, the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in collaboration with the Taiwanese Technical Mission constructed and opened the Dumbar- ton Poultry Hatchery and Breeder Unit in 2004.

The hatchery which is operated by the Animal Health and Production Division of the Ministry of Agriculture is still operational after 14 years.
Amid challenges, it has contributed significantly to the provision of day-old broiler and layer chicks to poultry farmers across the state.

Data from the Agricultural Planning Unit indicates that over the period 2013-2017 352,002 day-old chicks com- prising of 244,162 broilers and 107,740 layers valued at EC$857,677.00 were hatched and distributed.

These figures only partially reflect the achievement of the hatchery given that it was established in 2004.
Care for young birds at the Hatchery in Dumbarton Number of chicks produced at hatchery by type and value NUMBERS# Layers Broilers 65,965 32,385 72,855 26,654 40,708 18,616 31,126 12,686 33,508 17,399 Total # of Birds 98,450 99,509 59,324 43,812 50,907 VALUE(EC$) Layers 136,863.50 113,279.50 79,118.00 53,915.50 73,945.75 Broilers 112,449.00 127,496.25 71,239.00 54,470.50 58,639.00 Total Value Birds 249,312.50 240,775.75 150,357.00 108,386.00 108,845.75 Period 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 The hatchery has impacted significantly on the supply of table eggs.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines can be considered self-sufficient in table eggs.

Over the period 2011-2017 egg production data indicate annual pro- duction of table eggs averaged 13,830,000 with production peaking at 14,700,000 in 2017.

Once all equipment is functioning and the supply of hatching eggs (layer) are on schedule, there is minimal or no imports during the Christmas season, the period of peak demand.
The supply of day-old broiler chicks has also impacted positively on the growth in local production of poul- try meat as the graph and table indicate a growth in production and slaughter of broilers locally.
TABLE 1-2 ESTIMATES OF LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRO- DUCTION (LBS) safaedgt Period BEEF MUTTON MEAT 0F GOAT PORK POULTRY (Broiler) Despite the achievements of the hatchery, the Animal Health and Production has advised that the annual out- put of the hatchery is 130,000 day old chicks.
In the last 3 years, the facility has been performing at less than half its annual output in each year.

This has been mainly due to equipment breakdown and inadequate supply of hatching eggs.

Given the significant imports of poultry products, the opportunity still exists for local pro- duction to meet domestic demand.

It suggests once the limiting factors are addressed on a consistent basis, the hatchery can meet and/or exceed its annual output.
On the evening of Monday June 25th this nation witnessed the launch of the first ever Greenhouse Park Facility at Montreal in the Marriaqua Valley.

This project is a component of the overall European Union- funded Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) Project.

BAM is an initiative of the European Union to finance the reorientation of farmers in ACP countries towards diversification of their agricultural sectors following the erosion of preferential arrangements in the UK to bananas.
that Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Raymond Ryan gave a background of the Greenhouse Park project explaining the project comes as a result of a study on crop production conducted in the year 2010 by Israel’s Agency for international Development Cooperation and the Centre for International Agricul- tural Development Cooperation.

Mr. Ryan revealed that the study rec- ommended the construction of a green- house park of 24 hectares at the highest altitude possible.
Montreal was one of the sites selected after a review of all Greenhouse Park Facility at Montreal Area Representative for the constituency of Marriaqua, St. Clair “Jimmy” Prince expressed his gratitude for the realization of the project in Montreal and registered his hopes for the future of agriculture here in St. Vin- cent and the Grenadines.

He especially hoped that the facility will serve as a teaching agency that farmers in the area will learn best practices and implement them on their own farms.
Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon Camillo Gonsalves was confident that diversified agri- culture could continue to play a central role in national economic growth.

He saw the greenhouse park facility as a tool in this aspiration.

Minister Gonsalves cautioned against abandoning agriculture so that the notion does not position itself on the periphery and in the loopholes of the global financial architecture.
Minister of Agriculture Hon Saboto Caesar explained that the greenhouse park facility is a part of the evolving diversified production platform which continues to develop in the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Caesar reviewed the history of Montreal as a productive agro-ecological zone and the strategic placement of the greenhouse park facility in such an area.
He foresees increased involvement of youth in greenhouse production especially in the application of science and technology in intensive crop production.

LtR.

Her Excellency Daniela Tramacere, Dr. Hon Ralph Gonsalves, Hon Saboto Caesar and Hon.

Jimmy Prince at the head table of the Greenhouse Park Facility launching at Montreal.

Her Excellency Daniela Tramacere - Head of delegation of the EU to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean States giving remarks.
Hon Jimmy Prince - Area Representative for Marriaqua giving brief remarks at the event.

Hon.

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves - Prime Minister of St. Vin- cent and the Grenadines delivering the feature ad- dress at the launching ceremony.

Members of the media and invited guest at the Greenhouse Park Launching Ceremony.

Hon.

Saboto Caesar - Minister of Agriculture, ad- dress the gathering at the launching.

Hon.

Camillo Gonsalves- Minister of Fi- nance and Economic Planning delivering remarks at the launching.
Hon.

Dr Ralph Gonzalves and - Her Excel- lency Daniela Tramacere involved in a tree planting activity on the facility compound.

Raymond Ryan - Permanent Secretary in Minister of Agriculture delivering remarks at the event.

VincyFresh Weekly and Monthly Fresh Produce Requirements.
Raw Material Re- quirements Monthly (Kg) Weekly (Kg) Acreage Basil Chive Culantro Flavour Pepper/Pimento Ginger Hot Flavour Pepper Hot Pepper Jalapeno Limes Mint Parsley Passion Fruit Sorrel Soursop Thyme For more information and register your interest, please contact Extension and Advisory Services, Ministry of Agriculture at 456-0310 or email: extensionservices1@yahoo.com or contact VincyFresh directly at 458- 5005 The Banana Industry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been given a further boost through the launch of Phase 1 of a Banana Revitalization Programme through Improvement of Black Sigatoka Management Project on Thursday 21st June 2018 at the Orange Hill Agriculture Biotechnology Centre.
The project is jointly funded by the Government of St. Vin- cent and the Grenadines and the Government of China on Taiwan at an estimated cost of EC$5.2 million dollars.

Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, His Excel- lency Calvin Ho in delivering the remarks at the launch highlighted the need for the implementa- tion of the project to proceed quickly given the difficulty faced by farmers and the importance of the industry to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
He added that it was important for Taiwan to share its expertise to overcome this challenge in the industry.

His Excellency indicated that in spite of the long years of friendship between the two countries and support for several projects, to him, this was one of the most meaningful given the importance of the industry.

In his feature address, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Indus- try and Labour, Hon.
Saboto Caesar thanked the Ambassador for the support of the Government and People of Taiwan for this critical project.

He reviewed the context of the banana industry from its inception and noted that the industry and mar- ketplace in the 1950’s or in 1992 with preferen- tial market access are not similar to today’s mar- ket place given the removal of preferences.

Min- ister Caesar reiterated that it was more challeng- ing for a banana farmer in 2018 to compete in the global banana market place of today.
He noted that he was reliably informed that the mar- ket in the UK was asking for an organic banana LtR.

Hon.

Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture His Excel- lency Calvin Ho - Taiwanese Ambassador and Ashley Cain - Chief Agricultural Officer at the launch.

which was something that farmers would have to grapple with.

He reiterated that the quest of the project is not to return to pro- duction levels of 1992 but to establish a sustainable industry.
The Agriculture Min- ister also noted that given the rise in the in- cidence of cancer in the population, the Ministry is taking another look at aerial spraying and the use of chemicals.

He added that persons were making complaints about aerial spraying and the Banana Ser- vices Unit was reviewing options to address the problem.
Phase 1 of the project will cost EC$662,000 and will focus on control methods to im- prove Black Sigatoka Management on a pi- lot area of two hundred acres ranging from Colonarie to Orange Hill.

It is anticipated that this project will contribute to the reduc- tion in the incidence of Black Sigatoka on bananas and plantains through public awareness and on farm technical support.
Approximately 140 participants from several stakeholders groups in the agricultural sector inclusive of farmers, fishers, fishers and farmers organizations, agricultural marketing organizations and companies, agro-processors, financial institutions, technical ser- vice providers and public-sector agencies were brought together to dialogue in order to match demands for agri-foods with poten- tial supply platforms in St. Vincent and the Grena- dines, share information on business opportunities in key value chains, potential financing facilities, technical services, and productive capacities among the market place and promote and support the for- mation or strengthening of Productive Alliances among farmers, fishers, agro-processors, aggrega- tors and supporters in order to capture opportunities in the domestic, regional and international market place.
The primary beneficiaries welcomed the OECS Agri- culture Competitiveness Project and identified spe- cific value chains for funding.

These included fish harvesting, handling and marketing, production and marketing of fruits, vegetables and food crops, coco- nut water and oil processing, agro-processed prod- ucts, cut flowers production and marketing and honey production to name a few.
Marketers and agro-processors expressed their willingness to form productive alliances to enhance and secure these value chains and benefit from funding under the pro- ject.

Opportunities and terms for support financing were also presented.

Participants and stake holders at the OECS AGRICOM Business Roundtable event held at Methodist Church Hall, Kingstown Hon.

Saboto Caesar - Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Trans- formation, Industry and Labour delivering remarks at the event.
The Ministries of Health, Wellness and the Environment and Agri- culture, Rural Transformation, Forestry, Fisheries, Industry and Labour in the collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organi- zation of the United Nations on the 16th and 17th May 2018, hosted an Intersectoral Workshop to update the National Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment Conference Room.
The opening ceremony was addressed by the Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment, Hon.

Luke Browne.

The objectives of the workshop are: 1.

2.

3.

4.
To raise awareness about the importance of FBDGs To review the methodology proposed by FAO to update the FBDGs To define tasks and responsibilities of the members of the committee To present the results of the current FBDG´s evaluation The workshop was facilitated by FAO International Nutrition Consultant, Ms. Veronika Molina, formed part of a process of Evaluation, Updating and Dissemination of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Food Based Dietary Guidelines under a broader FAO Technical Cooperation Project (TCP/STV/3601) enti- tled, “Support the Implementation of Selected Activities of the National Zero Hunger Chal- lenge Initiative (ZHCI) Action Plan of St. Vin- cent and the Grenadines”.
This project to evaluate, update and disseminate the Na- tional Food Based Dietary Guidelines is be- ing implemented at a cost of approximately US$94,000.00 and involves the following four components.

a.

Evaluate, update and approve the updated St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG's) b.
Develop and Implement Capacity Building Programs for Food Based Dietary Guidelines c. Implement strategy for promotion of the Food Based Dietary Guidelines d. Develop and implement a Monitor- ing and Evaluation plan for the up- dated FBDGs.

The project is led by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment through its Nu- trition Unit with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Trans- formation, Industry and Labour through the National ZHCI Coordinator.
In April, the Nutrition Unit commenced the key informant interviews to aid the evaluation of the National Food Based Dietary Guidelines of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Arrowroot remains a viable crop for profits and a sustainable income to farmers and by extension the economy of St. Vincent and the Grena- dines.
As a result, the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines through the Ministry of Agriculture and other state-owned enterprises such as WINFRESH have taken positives steps to ensure the viability and sustainability of the Arrowroot Industry.

To date the following have been addressed: Arrowroot Industry Association and WINFRESH through an MOU have agreed to establish a Joint Ven- ture Company to boost the marketing of starch.
At the end of the 2017-2018 crop, an estimated 250,000 lbs of starch valued at approximately EC$5 million dollars would be on hand.

The 2017-2018 production season saw 176 farmers producing 139 acres which has thus far yielded 877,767 lbs of rhizomes.

The final yield is estimated at 1,079,000 lbs.


As a result on June 7, 2018, farmers re- ceived EC$1.3 million dollars for rhizomes sold in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 production seasons.. Government has been cognizant of the need to replace the current factory with a new one to address competi- tiveness of the product and the profitability of the association.

The following have been addressed: a.


With the assistance of the CDB engaged the Inter- national Trade Centre (ITC) to prepare a way for- ward for the industry with respect to new processing technologies, expanding market shares and installa- tion of quality assurance systems.

b.

Based on the ITC Re- port, a capital project was prepared for a new modern factory.
c. The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has received financial sup- port from the Indian Government to the value of US$1.2 million to assist with the building of the new factory.

d. As a stop gap measure an action plan has been developed to remedy deficien- cies at the current factory and ensure production until the new factory has been commissioned.