THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LANDS FORESTRY, FISHERIES, PUBLIC UTILITIES AND ENERGY
[PHOTO PENDING]
Hon. Michael D. Lett
Profile
The Ministry of agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries, Public Utilities, and Energy has a mandate to contribute to the economic growth and sustainable development of the country through the sustainable use of natural resources and sustainable growth and development of the agriculture sector.
Agriculture is one of the most important economic activities in Grenada's Economy. However, over the last decade, with the continued drop in world market prices, grenada has seen a rapid decline in the sector, especially with the heavy dependence on traditional system of production and on traditional markets.
The situation has now been exacerbated with the passage of hurricanes Ivan and Emily in 2004 and 2005, causing major set backs in the development of this sector.
Prior to hurricanes Ivan and Emily the Ministry had embarked on the introduction of more economically sustainable production system, aligning production to markets and emerging markets, and focusing on valued-added products, quality and safety to meet consumers' demand.
In order to achieve these, it had to change its and mode of operation. A restructuring and re-organization of the Ministry became necessary in order to provide the level of leadership and support services necessary to accomplish that new direction.
With the passage of hurricanes Ivan and Emily the rehabilitation and development of the agriculture sector became a major priority. The Ministry's role, therefore, is to facilitate its recovery in an effort to increase productivity and efficiency thereby restoring confidence among stakeholders.
The Ministry is committed to the revitalization of the sector so as to restore its contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.
The Ministry of Agriculture operates within an extensive legislative and regulatory framework. A summary of the most significant governing and enabling legislation is given in Appendix 5.
Our planning and budgeting activities for this year are guided by:
The Ministry of Agriculture has responsibility for the following:
- Medium Term Framework for Collaboration with the FAO
- The Forestry Policy (developed with IIED in 2000)
- The Functional Review of the Ministry (recently carried out with DFR)
- The Agriculture Policy developed by ARD
- Evaluating and strategizing to improve the management and delivery of all its function.
- Translating and implementing national policies relating to its portfolio
- Facilitating the development and management of a sector plan
- Developing and implementing programmes that are economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound.
- Supporting programmes that would contribute to the economic and social well being of stakeholders.
- Creating and maintaining an environment for enhancing productivity and competitiveness.
- Facilitating the production of safe food
- Education and training - developing and implementing public awareness programmes and training stakeholders.
Statutory Bodies Associated with the Ministry of Agriculture
Grenada Cocoa Association (GCA)
Grenada Commercial Fisheries Limited (GCFL)
Grenada Cooperative Nutmeg Association
The Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC)
Minor Spices Association
National water and Sewage Authority (INAWASA)
National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (NTRC)
MISSION STATEMENT:
To facilitate food security through the promotion of sustainable use of natural resources and the provision of quality services and products and to increase economic returns from the agricultural sector.
VISION STATEMENT:
To be the premiere agricultural service and product provider facilitating total food security.
Description and Organizational Structure of the Ministry
The Head office of the Ministry of Agriculture is located on the Third Floor of the Ministerial complex, Tanteen St. George's.
The Ministry is comprised of ten (10) departments, namely:
| Administration | Extension Services |
| Agronomy | Land Use/Agriculture engineering |
| Lands and Survey | Fisheries |
| Forestry | Pest Management |
| Veterinary and Livestock | Produce Chemist Laboratory |
The Extension, Land Use and Agronomy Divisions are located on the Third Floor of the Ministerial Complex while the Fisheries and Lands & Surveys Divisions are located on the 2nd Floor. Other departments and offices are located as follows:
| Pest Management & Veterinary & Livestock | Tanteen, St. George's |
| Produce Chemist Laboratory | Tanteen, St. George's |
| Tissue Culture Laboratory | Tanteen, St. George's |
| Soil Laboratory | Mirabeau, St. Andrew's |
| Farm Machinery | Mirabeau, St. Andrew's |
| Laura Livestock Station | Laura, St. David's |
| Propagation Station | Mirabeau, St. Andrew's |
| Propagation Station | Ashenden, St. David's |
| Propagation Station | Maran, St. John's |
| Forestry | Queen's Park, St. George's |
| Eastern Agricultural District Office | Grenville, St. Andrew's |
| West Agricultural District | Black Bay, St. John's |
| Northern Agricultural District Office | Plains, St. Patrick's |
| Southern Agricultural District | Perdmontemps, St. David's |
| Mt. Gazo Forest Reserve | Mt. Delice, St. George's |
| Annandale Forest Reserve | Annandale, St. George's |
| Grand Etang Forest Reserve | Grand Etang, St. Andrew's |
| Grand Etang Nursery | Grand Etang, St. Andrew's |
| Perseverance Bird Sanctuary | Perseverance, St. George's |
| Mt. Hartman National Park | Mt. Hartman, St. George's |
| Melville Street Fish Complex | Melville Street, St. George's |
| Gouyave Fish Market | Gouyave, St. John's |
| Victoria Fish Market | Victoria, St. Mark's |
| Duquesne Fish Market | Duquesne, St. Mark's |
| Sauteurs Fish Market | Sauteurs, St. Patrick's |
| Grenville Fish Market | Grenville, St. Andrew's |
| Bait Room (Fisheries) | Waltham, St. Mark's |
Staff - Established
There is budgetary provision for one hundred and ninety one (191) established positions in the Ministry. One hundred and fifty five (155) of those positions are filled, with thirty three (33) vacant positions.
Staff-Un-established
There is fifty nine (59) un-established staff with no vacancies.
Staff - Professional and Other Services
There are fifty five (55) contract officers in the Ministry
The Ministry currently contracts out some security services and there are plans to undertake detailed reviews of the options to outsource a number of other services during 2006 and 2007.
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministerial Complex
2nd Floor
Botanical Gardens
Tanteen, St. George's
Tel: (473) 440-2708 / 3078 / 3083
Fax: (473) 440-4191
E-Mail: agriculture@gov.gd
