‘We are particularly pleased by the commitment of the Government of Grenada to implementing the Region’s 25 by 2025 Initiative through its various actions. In particular, we commend the Government for prioritizing the Poultry Sector, among others, starting with the development of the National Poultry Policy. The Policy will, undoubtedly, support the advancement and further development of the poultry industry in Grenada, decrease the food import bill, secure the availability of a major food basket item, and create business and employment opportunities for the citizens of Grenada.‘ – Ambassador David Prendergast, Director, Sectoral Programmes, CARICOM Secretariat
Hon. Andy Williams, Acting Prime Minister and Minster to Mobilization, Implementation and Transportation
Mr. Alva Brown, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry
Poultry Farmers, Stakeholders
Other distinguished invitees
Let me begin by thanking the Ministry of Agriculture of Grenada for inviting the CARICOM Secretariat to provide the keynote address for this Consultation on the Draft National Poultry Policy 2023. It is an honour for us to be here to provide our support for the development and sustainability of this crucial industry.
We are particularly pleased by the commitment of the Government of Grenada to implementing the Region’s 25 by 2025 Initiative through its various actions. In particular, we commend the Government for prioritizing the Poultry Sector, among others, starting with the development of the National Poultry Policy. The Policy will, undoubtedly, support the advancement and further development of the poultry industry in Grenada, decrease the food import bill, secure the availability of a major food basket item, and create business and employment opportunities for the citizens of Grenada. As you are all aware, Agriculture plays an important role in Grenada, especially in rural communities, accounting for around 5 per cent of GDP. We also note from the information contained in your draft Policy that, according to the 2012 Grenada Agricultural Census, there are around 9,200 farmers of which approximately 450 are poultry farmers directly employing over 750 persons.
The 25 by 2025 Initiative’s goal is to reduce the food import bill by 25% by the year 2025 by focusing on improving the areas of production and productivity, technical capacity building along the value chain, research and development, climate-smart adaptation, agriculture insurance and financing, animal health and food safety, increasing the participation of youth and women in agriculture, facilitating market access, trade and of course encouraging and facilitating new investment.
As a part of the strategy to replace imports and identify areas with investment potential, the CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) identified cereals and staples, meat products, edible vegetables, fruits and nuts, milk and cream, beverages, and fish as having major import replacement potential in the region.
Notably, meat products ranked second in the potential category amounting to approximately US$319.2 in imports. Importantly, from the meat products category, Poultry ranked the highest imported meat product for the region averaging a total of US $149.0 million. The figures indicate that there is immense potential for poultry in the region to replace imports.
Poultry meat, as we all know, is one of the most accessible and affordable sources of protein. Its meat accounts for over 80% of all protein consumption in the region. For the OECS Member States imports of poultry meat amount to US$54 million. The Bahamas being the single largest importer of approximately US$ 30.8 million while Grenada accounts for approximately US$9.7 million in imports. The regional and national data, signify that the potential for import displacement both at the national and regional level as being substantial. It also suggests that there is opportunity for private sector investment to strengthen national production systems and displace imports from within Grenada and outside in the region.
The Region is implementing some major game-changing policies which will support the movement of animal produce throughout the region. Policies such as the CARICOM Trade Policy for Animals and Animal Products, the Regional Agricultural Health, and Food Safety Policy, the Alternate Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) dispute Resolution Mechanism. These all aim to increase efficiency and transparency in regional trade.
The first step of revising the National Poultry Policy 2023 is therefore crucial and must be applauded. We have taken note of the consultation process being undertaken on the Revised National Poultry Policy 2023 and Action Programme. The Policy will provide all key players; producers, traders, agro-processors, input suppliers, government entities and other private sector actors with a guide on the short to long-term goals of the Poultry sector. This document is key in creating a predictable framework for investment from small, medium, and large farmers and agro-processors.
Key to the Policy approval is also the Consultation process, which you are undertaking today, allows not only for inputs from key stakeholders but also for the buy-in of the stakeholders on the proposed draft. But most importantly, the consultation process ultimately ensures that the policy to be implemented is efficient and effective in meeting the outcomes sought by all key stakeholders involved throughout the poultry value-chain.
Your participation in the consultation process is therefore imperative. The real-world impact of the policy is felt by you and those you represent. We therefore encourage each one of you to actively participate and engage in the revision of the draft National Poultry Policy 2023. Each one of your contributions is key in ensuring that the Policy represents the mission, vision, and goals of the Grenadian poultry stakeholders.
We once again thank the Government for the invitation and express our full support to Grenada in the move towards prioritizing the poultry industry decreasing the imports of poultry in line with the 25 by 2025 Initiative and in the interest in expansion into the wider region.
We wish you all the very best in framing policy which will benefit all the citizens of Grenada and support Grenada’s food and nutrition security, food safety, economic well-being and job creation.
Thank you.
16 May 2024
See opening ceremony here