Grenada AgriTourism Policy Setting Workshop Policy setting for improved linkages between agriculture, trade and tourism: Strengthening the local agrifood sector and promoting healthy food in agritourism. Workshop organised by the Government of Grenada In collaboration with OECS, CTA, IICA, Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, Grand Anse, St. George, Grenada September 17-18, 2019

1. REMARKS TO BE DELIVERED BY:
HONOURABLE YOLANDE BAIN HORSFORD
MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE & LANDS ON THE OCCASION OF
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF
THE AGRO-TOURISM POLICY SETTING WORKSHOP
AT THE RADISSON BEACH RESORT
ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

2. Permit me to recognize:
 Honorable Dr. Claris Modeste-Curwen; Minister for Tourism &
Civil Aviation;
 Senator Dr. Dunstan Campbell, Farmers and Fishers
Representative in the Senate
 Mr. Gregory Rawlins, Representative of IICA in the Eastern
Caribbean States
 Mr. George Alcee, Representative of the OECS Secretariat
 Mr. Elvis Morain, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of
Agriculture & Lands and other Permanent Secretaries
 Mrs. Ena Harvey, IICA Hemispheric Agro Tourism Specialist and
Representative of IICA in Barbados
 Mr. Derek Charles IICA National Specialist in Grenada
 Mrs. Patricia Maher, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority
 Representatives of the Agriculture & Tourism Sectors
 Representatives from the Retail sector
 Specially invited guests
 Members of the Media.
This Agro-Tourism Policy Setting Workshop must be of significance for
not only the active players in the Agriculture and Tourism Sectors but is
of major importance to the economic landscape of Grenada. We will all
agree that Agro-Tourism has been a buzz word in Grenada for many
years, however, I daresay when a deliberate effort is made towards
policy development, Agro-Tourism assumes a whole different meaning.
Having said this, I wish to express how please I am to be part of this
exercise and deliver remarks.

3. The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands owes much gratitude to the
Technical Centre for Agricultural & Rural Cooperation (CTA) for
providing the financial resources for making this workshop possible.
This workshop is a precursor to a larger Agro-Tourism Project, which
will bring tremendous benefits to Grenada, therefore, CTA’s vision and
commitment to this process must be applauded. Similarly, we owe
much gratitude to the OECS Secretariat and indeed IICA for their
unwavering and dedicated assistance rendered in coordinating this
workshop.
There is no denying that Agriculture and Tourism represent two of
Grenada’s major Economic sectors, however, it is evident that the
synergies between these sectors have not been fully optimized over the
years.
Consequently, this two day exercise presents an ideal opportunity for
this broad stakeholder group to meet to forge a sustainable
development path for agro-tourism as a pillar for economic growth and
development.
It is important that I remind us all that this workshop seeks to achieve
the following:
 To promote linkages between the agri-food sector and the
tourism industry to increase sustainable local sourcing through a
developed agritourism policy in Grenada;
 To increase the understanding and awareness of the current
deficiencies in the supply of produce along the value chain and
the actions needed;

4.  To design intersectoral and inclusive policies which promote
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for improved local food use and
consumption;
 To identify concrete projects that can be supported under the
Intra ACP EU funding; and
 To contribute to the Caribbean regional agritourism strategy
According to the FAO (2005), Agriculture accounts for 55 % of
employment in developing countries. While Grenada’s agricultural
sector has witnessed some decline over the decades, the fact remains
that it continues to be pivotal to Grenada’s socio-economic
development.
The Tourism sector has witnessed significant growth over the years and
it is evident that this trend will continue. It is estimated that the
Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP is over 20 %.
The diametrically strong linkage between the agricultural and tourism
sectors is well established. The continuous demands from the tourism
sector for meals and beverages, accommodation and cultural
experiences are services which can, in part, be provided by local
farmers.
It is important to note that food represents roughly 30% of the total
tourists expenditure, which implies that there is vast potential for local
producers. I am confident that our producers of foods have the capacity
to supply in a consistent manner, a major part of the culinary needs of
the tourism sector.
Despite the foregoing, it will be remiss of me to ignore the challenges
with respect to the food supply chain in the agri-food sector. Some of

5. these problems are now being addressed in a meaningful way, with the
current implementation of the Agricultural Competitiveness Project
which is intended to increase the competitiveness of farmers, fisher
folks, agro-processors. The expected results of this intervention are,
among others:
 Improved market access and sales;
 Strengthening of supply chains (clusters) including those which
service the tourism sub-sector; and
 Improved livelihoods.
A major policy goal for Grenada at this time, is developing a strategy for
stronger linkages between these two economic sectors of Tourism &
Agriculture.
Quite apart from the direct supply of fresh agricultural products from
agriculture to the Tourism sector, there are some other potential Agro-
tourism products which offer very good opportunities. These include:
1. Nursery Trail & Tours;
2. Camping Grounds;
3. Farm stay (bed & breakfast);
4. Spice Tours;
5. Chocolate Tours and Tastings;
6. Catering;
7. Farm Tours;
8. Planting Demonstrations;
9. Wedding & Events;
10. Picnics;
11. Flower Fairs and Festivals; etc.

6. The Good news for Grenada, is that in regards to agritourism
development, we are not starting from zero. There are a number of
initiatives and agritourism products which are in operation on the
island and are doing fairly well.
According to a mapping study by Roett (2018) on agri-tourism
potential in Caribbean countries, and I quote, “Grenada is a favorable
choice for this CTA funded project not only because it has the highest
ranking in the agritourism weighted performance index but also
because the island has an already flourishing agritourism sector” end
of quote.
Therefore, regarding the development of an agritourism policy for
Grenada, I wish to indicate to you that in your discussions over the next
two days, some considerations must be given to the following areas:
 The sustainable development of the sector particularly the use of
water and chemicals and the decline in available agricultural land;
 Opportunities for sector development in Carriacou and Petit
Martinique;
 Development of the necessary infrastructure;
 Providing opportunities for youth involvement;
 Measures to increase the productivity of the agricultural sector;
 Measures to increase the sustainability of both agriculture and
tourism through agritourism;
 Sustainable management of marine resources;
 Emphasis on agri-food trade;
 Emphasis on agro- heritage tourism;
 Emerging issues such as Climate Change, sustainable use and
conservation of Biodiversity; etc.

7. As I close, I remain confident that the deliberations during the next two
days of this workshop will be rewarding and productive. It is my
sincerest hope that following the completion of this workshop that
there will be a far greater understanding of all the opportunities, which
exist in agrotourism in Grenada and that a great platform for promoting
the linkages between Agriculture and Tourism will be established.
Likewise, I am optimistic that a number of priority areas for
development and support under the intra ACP funding will be
identified.
I am also looking forward for some well thought out elements of a
policy/strategy on Agro-tourism developed and validated by this
diverse and well informed multi-sectoral group.
I wish to thank you for your kind attention. God bless you all.