Another cattle shipment leaves for Grenada

Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar has said that over $600,000 has been paid out to farmers in a short space of time, as the government continues to make strides to broaden its horizons.{{more}}

Speaking on board the M.V. CLARION J III on Tuesday, as 110 head of cattle were being loaded for shipment to Grenada, Caesar pointed out that $300,000 was recently paid out to arrowroot farmers, and that the 52 farmers who sold livestock in this shipment of cattle also benefitted handsomely.

“The value of the animals that we are exporting today is approximately $350,000. It is the first of four exports we are going to have this year; we are going to have three more shipments from St Vincent and the Grenadines to Grenada during the course of 2014.”

The shipment of cattle to Grenada started last year.

Caesar pointed out that there has been an increase in demand for local livestock in the “Spice Isle,” and that measures are being put in place to ensure that the demand does not exhaust the local cattle population.

He also indicated that purchasers are sourcing other types of livestock, as well as technical support from St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I would like to announce that there are several purchasers in Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique, who have already contacted the Ministry of Agriculture, and we are working very closely with the vet division so they can get their particular supplies.

“It started in 2013 with one buyer, but we are constantly contacted by other persons who are interested in trading between St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Petit Martinique and Carriacou.

“We have this year also a request, not only for cattle but also for pigs and sheep and goats,” Caesar said.

According to the Minister, the Ministries of Agriculture in both countries are in discussions in relation to technical assistance and trade in other agricultural and processed commodities.

“I don’t ever want it to appear as if it is a parasitic relationship, but I want to note that we are establishing a very close symbiotic relationship with the Government and people of Grenada, as it relates to agricultural crops and commodities.”