ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, May 24th, 2012 -- Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas has challenged the Ministry of Agriculture and the 4-H movement to find ways of integrating science and technology into the agricultural sector, as a means of improving productivity, adding value and increasing earnings.
Addressing Thursday’s 4-H Achievement Day celebrations at the National Stadium, the Prime Minister said he believed that the agricultural sector has the potential to, once again, be sustainable and lucrative.
“We have the potential in Grenada to once again ensure that agriculture becomes a leading contributor to our economy and our country. This is why I am so delighted to see so many of our young people and children participating in today’s exercise,” the Grenadian leader said.
He dismissed suggestions that the sector was not economically viable, pointing to his own family history of farming in which his father, a prominent farmer, was able through the agricultural sector, to provide sustenance and education for his family.
“While the other sectors of our economy are also important, the issue of our ability to feed ourselves is extremely important. The periodic food shortages, the rising prices and the quality produced are critical areas that must attract our attention,” he told the audience.
Prime Minister Thomas called for the strengthening of linkages between agriculture and other sectors, to enable increased production, effective marketing, adequate returns to farmers, saving of valuable foreign exchange and an increase in benefits to “all our people.”
The Prime Minister presented motorized tillers, seeds and fertilizer to various divisions of the 4-H movement during his visits to the nation’s primary schools in 2011.
Today’s celebration, which was attended by 4-H clubs from several schools across the country, was also addressed by Minister for Agriculture, Denis Michael Lett and Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports, Patrick Simmons.
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