IICA hosts workshop for agricultural producer organizations

Ten agricultural producer organizations recently benefitted from a one-day workshop on Group Dynamics and Organizational Leadership, hosted by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) at the NIS Training Room, Wednesday, June 22, 2011.{{more}}

According to Michael Dalton, IICA Technical Specialist for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, there currently exists a number of producer organizations, some of which have been recently formed or revived. These organizations are engaged in advancing the interests of particular stakeholder groups within the agricultural sector. This effort on the part of the producers is being supported by a number of technical agencies, including IICA. Wednesday’s workshop formed part of the programme of support and was geared towards strengthening of the internal structures of these organizations thus contributing to their longer term sustainability.

Three presentations were made during the course of the day’s proceedings. These addressed the issues of dynamics within groups, organizational leadership and communication. These presentations were facilitated by Rosita Snagg (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Mobilization), Carlos Williams (Adult Education Unit, Ministry of Education) and Atiba Bobb (WINFA). Participating organizations included: SVG Poultry Producers Association, SVG Small Ruminants Society, SVG Beekeepers Association Inc., Pineapple Growers Organization, Rabacca Fruits and Vegetable Farmers Organization, VINCYKLUS, Windward Island Farmers Association, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Agricultural Forum for Youth, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Network of Rural Women Producers and the East Caribbean Agricultural Trade and Development Organization.

It is anticipated that individual groups will be exposed to further training on an individual basis, according to their needs. This will be accomplished through a series of outreach activities to meet the individual groups on their own turf.