Friday, June 16, 2006

by Kishawn Thomas
Caribbean Net News Grenada Correspondent
Email: kishawn@caribbeannetnews.com

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada: With the closure of the Grenada Sugar Factory in 2004, sugar cane farmers in Grenada have been faced with the loss of their livelihoods because of the lack of mills to grind the product.

With this in mind, the government of Grenada has now come forward with some financial relief for the farmers that have lost their incomes since 2004.

Minister of Agriculture, Senator Adrian Mitchell, in making the announcement said that approximately $15,000 - $19,000 in total will be paid to various farmers from the areas of Beacon, St. David, Caligvny, Hope Vale and Maran.

“The compensation ranges from just about $500 up to a maximum of $1,200, and this is one of the areas the Cabinet has approved,” Senator Mitchell said.

Senator Mitchell also spoke of other assistance for farmers to improve drainage of their lands. $300,000 has been allocated for this project, which will target the nutmeg, banana and cocoa farmers.

“This money will be distributed to the various associations so that they can work with approximately 1,000 farmers in providing assistance to clear the drainage. We know that this is a very important part of the agriculture system that they have proper drainage throughout the farms, and we are hoping that we will very soon start that work,” he said.

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