Fertilizer for banana and other agricultural production

St. George’s, February 21, 2011 (GIS) – Local farmers who have been requesting fertilizer for agricultural production have now had their request met.

“The farmers will be very happy to know that we got the chemically blended fertilizer which they have been asking for,’’ Agriculture Minister Denis Lett announced Monday.

He was speaking at a ceremony marking the receipt of nearly 4,000 bags of fertilizer from Morocco.

Arrangement for the fertilizer was negotiated last year by former Foreign Minister Peter David and was included as part of a Grenada-Morocco cooperation agreement.

A symbolic handover of the fertilizer was conducted Monday, February 21, by current Foreign Minister Karl Hood to Agriculture Minister Lett.

The handing over ceremony was attended by Mr. David, current Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elizabeth Henry-Greenidge.

Minister Lett said the fertilizer, costing more than EC$341,000, will be welcomed by farmers, including those involved in banana and cocoa production.

“This will go a long way in alleviating some of the problems that our farmers have been experiencing over the years,’’ he said. “We had a series of meetings around the island and farmers have been complaining that they cannot get sufficient fertilizer for their crops.’’

Morocco is one of the world’s largest fertilizer producers. The 110 pound bag fertilizer donated to Grenada costs about EC$200 each.

MP Lett, who is also Minister of Forestry and Fisheries, said the receipt of the Moroccan fertilizer will assist government in its ongoing attempts to resuscitate agricultural production in bananas and other crops.

“We have received fertilize for cocoa, types of bananas and for vegetable and root crops too,’’ he said.

Minister Hood described the negotiation of the fertilizer as an example of the initiatives that are carried out by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

“One of these initiatives was the initiative with Morocco. And out of that relationship, Grenada has benefitted with a quantity of fertilizer, scholarships and some financial support,’’ he explained.

The Foreign Minister expressed delight that the Ministry of Agriculture will be using the fertilizer for “the good of our farmers and the good of our country.’’

Minister David described the arrival of the fertilizer in the country as an “excellent development,’’ noting that agriculture is one of the key areas in Grenada quest for further economic development.

He said he was happy that the promise of the fertilizer donation had materialised.

“Because many times you have discussions and you have promises made and they are not fulfilled,’’ he said. “I’m happy to see this one fulfilled. I know that Minister Hood, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, will continue that relationship; and will continue to seek not only assistance from Morocco, but from many other areas throughout the world.’’                                                       

Photo: PS Elizabeth Henry-Greenidge; Agriculture Minister Denis Lett; Foreign Minister Karl Hood; and Tourism Minister Peter David