The OECS Secretariat will over the next couple of weeks be facilitating consultations across the member states with key stakeholders on revised plans for agricultural development in the sub-region.

Starting this week in Grenada and Dominica, the sessions will inform the finalization of an Agricultural Policy Framework and the subsequent implementation of a plan of action for Agriculture in the sub-region.

Farmers, farming associations, support institutions for banana farming and export, credit institutions and transport providers within the OECS will be among the stakeholders.

The consultations are to ensure that all considerations for an OECS Agriculture Policy represent the interests of key players in the sub-region’s agriculture industry.

Two officers of the OECS Secretariat, Economist Dr. Wayne Sandiford and Agricultural Economist George Alcee will be facilitating the discussions.

Consultations will continue in St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, the British Virgin Islands and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Following the round of visits the Secretariat will submit recommendations to OECS Ministers of Agriculture in October, after which a final policy document will be prepared for endorsement by the OECS Heads of government in November.

In March 2002 the OECS Secretariat conducted a study on issues and concerns involving Agriculture in member states. A report was then prepared and following technical meetings, the Secretariat submitted a plan of action for Agriculture Development in the OECS to ministers of member states. In response to the plan of action the ministers requested a long-term vision for OECS Agriculture Development. The long-term vision, the Agriculture Policy Framework, is to guide the implementation of the plan of action.

The OECS Ministers of Agriculture have also mandated the OECS Secretariat to prepare a proposal for the establishment of an Agriculture Development Unit given the tall agenda for Agriculture development in the sub-region.

Contact:
Kendol Morgan, Senior Communications Officer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Raymond O’Keiffe, Communications Officer OECS Sec. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it