Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698843158982.pdf (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
The Government of the Republic of China on (Taiwan) collaborated with the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to invest in a project geared towards revitalizing the Banana Industry.

The project budgeted at an estimated Four Million, One Hundred and Eighty-five Thousand United States Dollars (US$4,185,000), will be executed over a period of four (4) years.
The Project aims to address key problems such as low unit output per acre which can be ad- dressed by technical improvement through upgrading farmer’s capability of cultivation man- agement and the capacity of extension in the Ministry of Agriculture.

The objective of the project is to increase unit output to 25 tons per hectare in banana plantation.
At a signing ceremony held on Tuesday 7th May 2019, Ambassador of China on Taiwan, His Excellency, Mr. Calvin Ho stated that the agriculture industry plays a major role and sets the foundation for the development of any country.” He indicated that the project will play a meaningful role in reviving the industry and looks forward to working alongside the neces- sary personnel to achieve the desired goals of the project.
Hon Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, In- dustry and Labour expressed his pleasure with the numerous developments made within the agricultural sector, such as, increase in cocoa production, exportation of cattle, cultivation of medical cannabis etc.

He viewed this project as a step towards getting the agricultural sector back to its previous state as one of the most lucrative industry in St. Vincent and Grenadines.
He expressed his gratitude to the Gov- ernment of Taiwan for deciding to fund the project.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour, Mr. Raymond Ryan expressed his opti- mism for the banana industry in the near future.
Mr. Ashley Cain, Chief Agricultural Of- ficer, dreamt that one day the youths of this land will recognized the landscapes and seascapes which we have here, we have a potential in our country for viable sustainable industry and I would want them to learn the science, the business and other dimensions.

He claimed that with support from the Taiwanese, we could rebuild not only the banana indus- try but also other rural areas.

His Excellency Mr. Calvin Ho and Agriculture Minister Hon.
Saboto Caesar exchange agreement documents at the launch of the Banana Revitalization Project.

Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) along with farmers at the signing of the agreement on the Banana Revitalization Project.

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, IICA, is continuing to support St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ to build resilience to disaster impacts, through its technical cooperation agenda for the country.
In its latest initiative, IICA introduced a new methodology for assessing community resil- ience.

This was taught to eighteen participants drawn from across public sector agencies, at a workshop held July 15-18, 2019 in Kingstown and the rural community of Troumaca in the North West.

Dr. Chaney St. Martin, IICA’s International Specialist in Soil and Water Man- agement, facilitated the workshop over the course of the four days.
According to IICA’s Technical Specialist at the Delegation in St. Vincent and the Grena- dines, Michael Dalton, the use of the methodology allowed for a determination of a commu- nity’s priority areas of concern in relation to climate-related impacts, and the courses of ac- tions they would wish to see implemented to address those concerns and in the process im- prove resilience of their community.
As an immediate output, participants were able to in- teract with community stakeholders in the target area - North Leeward - and propose poten- tial courses of actions to address these issues.

Mr. Dalton further indicated that IICA’s action were part of a continuous process of support by the Institute to build resilience in the agricultural sector and rural communities.
IICA’s support in this regard he said entailed : Michael Dalton, IICA’s Technical Specialist give opening re- marks at the workshop  Undertaking studies on climate-related impacts on the environment and farming, de- signed to inform the actions of technicians, policy makers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector;  Education and training of technicians and other stakeholders in the area of climate sci- ence and natural resource management;  Short term project activities to provide relief to farming communities immediately after  disaster impacts; and Implementation of climate smart adaptation measures on farms to demonstrate to farm- ers, the use of such technologies in their farming practices.
He emphasized that these efforts have all been in support of a wider programme of action by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour and the state as a whole to build resilience to climate change as detailed in goal four of the National Economic and Social Development Plan (2013-2025) for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

More information: Michael Dalton, IICA’s Technical Specialist at the Delegation in St. Vincent and the Grena- dines.
Fruits and vegetables are some of the most important foods.

Good quality fruits and vegetables are naturally healthy and consist of vita- mins and minerals that play an essential role in the normal functioning of the human body.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Trans- formation, Forestry, Fisheries, Industry and Labour is continuing its quest to en- sure that the citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have sustainable food sources.
Borrowing the theme for World Food Day 2018, “A Zero Hunger World is possible by 2020,” And how is this pos- sible?

It’s through the Home Gardening initia- tive of the Rural Transformation Unit within the Ministry of Agriculture in col- laboration with the Ministry of Education, National Reconciliation and Information.

They hosted an award ceremony for the schools that took part in the 2018 National School Gardening Competition.
At a prize giving ceremony held on 8th March 2019, Mrs. Currel Thompson- Fergus, Senior Technical Officer in the Rural Transformation Unit mentioned that the competition commenced in April 2018, where twenty-six schools registered to participate in three (3) categories which consisted of crops only, livestock only and Mixed (Crops and Livestock).

She ex- pressed her admiration for the work done by each school.
She sees this competition as a means of accomplishing one of the Ministry’s goals, “Youths in Agriculture”.

Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Joycelyn Blake- Browne congratulated all participating schools and winners.

She mentioned that there is an improvement in the School Mrs. Currel Thompson-Fergus, Senior Technical Officer in the Ru- ral Transformation Unit giving some opening remarks.
Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Joy- celyn Blake-Browne giving remarks at the event.

Feeding Program in schools across the country, and encouraged the schools to get involved in the competition as this could complement the School Feeding Program as far as the con- sumption of vegetables is concerned.

She ex- pressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Agri- culture, Teachers and parents for their efforts in ensuring that the children got involved in this activity.
The Winners: Positions 1st 2nd 3rd Schools Sandy-Bay Gov.

School Adelphi Secondary School Mustique Gov.

School 2nd place winners of the 2018 National School Gardening Competition, Adelphi Secondary School 3rd place winners of the 2018 National School Gardening Competition, Mustique Gov.

School.

1st place winners of the 2018 National School Gardening Competition, Sandy-Bay Gov.
School In an effort to reignite an interest in the Fisheries Sector, the Fisheries Division has been exposing the nation’s youths to different job oppor- tunities available in the fisheries sector through its annual Fisheries Summer Program.

This year, forty youths participated in the Program which ran from the 15th -24th of July un- der the theme, “Changing perception through Fishery Education.” The aim of the programme was to:  Increase knowledge about the marine environment and fisheries management.
 Encourage appreciation for marine resources  Provide basic hands-on training in navigation and safety, fishing gear and methods, prod- uct development and other aspects of fisheries, and  Further promote their studies in fisheries related areas.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Kris Isaacs, Senior Fisheries Officer said, “Young people con- stitute a large part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and it is you, the youths who will have to live longer with the consequences of the current environmental decisions that we as adults make.” He went on to highlight a few environmental issues that we are currently facing, such as climate change, bio-diversity loss and balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.
He stressed the importance of instilling good teaching habits to the students as it relates to how they can utilize natural resources to ensure reduction of wastage and enabling persons to be more responsible for the sustainability and protection of the environment and resources around the country.
Dr. Rowena Kirby-Straker of Wake Forest University, North Carolina, also a past employee of the Fisheries Division and founder of the Fisheries Summer Programme, which started in 2010, encouraged the students to take part in the activities as they were a lot of potential for entrepreneurship and research.
Commenting on the summer programme, she exclaimed, “It can be an experience that can change your life!” The summer program was facilitated by Mr. Ernie Bracken, Senior Fisheries Assistant and constituted of two teams: Orange shirts- Lion Fish and Grey shirts – Coral Reef.
Other than being sensitized on the different careers in the fisheries sector, the participants were taught several beach safety tips by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard, involved in a treasure hunt, fishing competition and beach cleanup activities.

Fisheries Summer Program Activities