As we continue to join hands in the fight against Covid-19, I wish to applaud the efforts of those on the frontline in preventing the community spread of this virus, your effort is worthy of much praise.
I also wish to recognise the nation’s farmers and other stakeholders, who continue to feed this nation in this challenging period, being mindful of the need to prevent the spread of this disease.
I wish to remind all of us that these are not ordinary times, and the desire to strike a balance between food security and the spread of the virus requires tremendous sacrifices – abiding by the regulations, thus protecting ourselves, our families and by extension the nation.
Having listened to the daily concerns of the farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands continues to work with the National Covid-19 Taskforce, the RGPF and MNIB to address some of the challenges faced by our farmers. I ask for your understanding and patience during this difficult period.
As the ministry continues to assess the likely impact of Covid-19 on the agricultural sector, please be assured that all is not lost. I am confident that there will be many positive lessons out of this experience, once we adhere to the guidelines. These challenges which we are facing offer many opportunities for us to find long-term solutions to some of the aging problems facing the sector.
Therefore, let us work together to defeat our common enemy, Covid-19, as we endeavour to build a stronger agricultural sector. My government remains committed to playing its part. You must now play your part towards an improved agricultural sector and by extension a Covid-19 free state.
To my constituents, I wish to remind you that this is a difficult period for all of us, therefore I ask you all to be responsible and avoid the community spread of this disease. Remember to employ sound hygienic practices, maintain social distancing and to wear a face mask or some form of face covering when in public.
Let us remain committed towards working to a Covid-19 free state. May God bless us all.
Minister for Agriculture and Lands and Parliamentary Representative for St Andrew South West, Hon Yolande Bain Horsford
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Yolanda .i thought it was the chinese that feeds us . Can we call upon them in thrse times please
Lets hope our thinking towards agriculture will change and that it will get the same ranking or even better than tourism. No food no tourism.
No food means no civilization…
There are so many lessons to be learnt from this Covid-19 pandemic that I hope we can learn at least one of them. Over the past 7 years MANY words were spoken about agriculture, food and food security but MUCH money in the millions were allocated to tourism consistently during the same period. Now we have to pull out money that we don’t have to further pump in this sector more than we have already done. That puts us in the read and more than is necessary to borrow. By comparison we have to pull out very little for agricultural loss. Do the math. Hope the lesson we learn is to invest more in agriculture it will cost us less in the short, medium and long-term. Review the math
Scientists agree that masks do little to stop getting Corvid 19 BUT do restrict the passing on of the virus by those that already have it. A mask can prevent the production of a hidden mist of the virus projected up to six metres by an infected person’s sneeze.
This judgement on masks applies to those sensible people keeping prescribed social distancing and not those health workers and carers who need as much personal protection as they can get hold of. Look after your health workers so they can look after you.
The U.K wishes you well..
I hope the virus will change our attitudes towards food production and consumption. It’s teaching us that we shouldn’t rely on foreign supply chains, but should rely instead most heavily on local produce. This provides employment, income, social status, and respect for farmers, who should receive training and other subsidies. It’s also reminding us that fresh local produce does more for our immune system, and kills the virus. It’s better all around than the imported junk we buy in the supermarkets. The best benefit of all is teaching Grenadians to change their thinking and adopt ideas and practices that serve them best.