Government Information Service Newsletter - Vol. 1, Issue 6 - 2020

NEWSLETTER GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE

ISSUE NO. 06

$4.6M UPGRADE OF ST. GEORGE’S MARKET DETAILS ON PAGE 02

PROGRESSING WELL

INSIDE PAGE PRAEDIAL LARCENY AMENDMENT 03 BILL PASSED IN LOWER HOUSE

PAGE RGPF RECEIVES NEW FIRE ENGINES 05 PAGE 09

SOCIAL INTERVENTION AT COMMUNITY LEVEL

AND MUCH MORE...

GRENADA’S COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH)

PAGE 04

DISMISSES CLAIMS OF INHUMANE FACILITY

MUST BE FOLLOWED

BY ARRIVING PASSENGERS MORE DETAILS ON PAGE 07

$4.6 MILLION UPGRADE OF ST. GEORGE’S MARKET PROGRESSING WELL

A $4.6 million investment on the upgrade of the St. George’s Market Square, by the Government of Grenada, is showing progress.

The investment on the St. George’s market is $3.1 million dollars more than the $1.5 million that was budgeted in the 2020 estimates of revenue and expenditure.

During an exclusive interview with the GIS, Permanent Secretary for Infrastructure, Merina Jessamy, said the investment took into consideration all the modifications that had to be put in place, with reference to the COVID-19 protocols, while improving the entire structure and functions of the St. George’s market, bringing it up to a standard that will allow for the proper management and execution of authorized business activities.

The work undertaken, thus far, includes the tiling of building one and two, painting of vendors stalls, installation of a sink on the outside of building one, sanding of the louvers, painting and replacing of damaged grills.

Jessamy said it is important to come to a consensus on what can and cannot happen in the St. George’s Market and further dialogue will have to take place with the Vendors Association.

The plan is to enhance the operational management and strengthen the management team.

Jessamy also noted that the because the upgrade of the St.

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George’s market is not a low-cost project, but a significant investment, there is a need to ensure that vendors and citizens alike, who use the market, can get a return on their investment.

She said there has to be best practices within the facility, to allow for proper sanitization and safety of all, similar to the Grenville Market.

When you compare the two markets - the Grenville Market and the St. George’s Market - Jessamy said the Grenville Market operation is far more structured and that is why it is easier to manage. When the new Grenville Market was opened, vending agreements were in place, unlike what currently exists at the St. George’s Market. Therefore, Jessamy says vending agreements have to be reviewed, if there is to be any change in the way business is conducted at the St. George’s Market.

The Permanent Secretary explained that, at this point, the Ministry of Infrastructure has worked along with the management of the St. George’s Market to have all vendors complete an application form for the resumption of vending. She said that process has given them the opportunity to collect much needed data about the vendors and the type of license they each have.

There have been vendors operating at the St. George’s Market more than thirty years. One of the issues is that when the vendors began selling, they had vegetables, then moved on to dry goods and then food, on a license that was issued for vegetables. Jessamy said the task now is to reorganize the market, by sections, working along with the Ministry of Tourism and the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA), to colour code the St. George’s Market, as it forms part of the destination marketing of Grenada. She noted that the market is an important social space, within the life and times of the Grenadian people.

The Permanent Secretary said the vendors have been informed, through meetings, of the need to fill the resumption of work form and sign vending agreements that will specify what can and cannot be done in the St. George’s Market.

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PRAEDIAL LARCENY AMENDMENT BILL PASSED IN LOWER HOUSE

The Lower House of Parliament passed the Praedial Larceny Amendment Bill 2020, on August 12, which seeks to classify Soursop as a protected produce, introduce a licensing regime for farmers, buyers and traders, and establish a management unit to ensure, along with the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), that farmers and their produce are protected.

For years, Government has been working to secure farmers and their produce. In 2004, more than 35 officers were trained to be a part of the task force, which is an arm of the Royal Grenada Police Force.

In 2004 the Praedial Larceny Task Force was established and there are 29 officers presently attached to the unit.

The Bill was presented by Agriculture and Lands Minister, Hon. Yolande BainHorsford, who highlighted why the decision was taken to protect soursop.

Minister Bain-Horsford said, “Soursop is referred to as our Green Gold in Grenada. Grenada is the only country which is supplying fresh soursop to the international market. Mr. Speaker, according to our records, we have seen an increase from 51, 374 pounds of soursop exported in 2018 to 92, 738 pounds in 2019.”

The Minister said, “Time for stealing and damaging the property has to stop. Our markets must be protected, according to law. Effective management must be practiced and benefits must be enjoyed by all.”

There are three categories of mandatory licensing under the bill: licensing for travelers, traders and carriers. A license is required for the any weight of over 15 pounds of produce. Failure to comply can result in the fine of $5000 to $10,000 and Hon. Yolande Bain Horsford imprisonment of up to four years.

Trade Minister Hon. Oliver Joseph gave support to the bill. He is optimistic that The Minister continued, saying, “Mr. the implementation of mandatory license Speaker, I recall even during the mix of COVID-19 pandemic the demand and will save the soursop industry. export continued, bringing well-needed revenue to the farmers and foreign Minister Joseph said, “This mandatory exchange to this country. Mr. Speaker, license that we have there, that is the for that reason, this market ought to real thing that will save the industry and be protected and sustained and the ensure that it grows and develops and producers, our hardworking farmers, need that all our farmers and, by extension, our citizens will benefit from the protected to be protected from Praedial Larceny.”

Minister Bain-Horsford says the time has industry and that for the long term we come for local markets to be protected can have confidence that we can invest in and farmers and their produce to be the soursop and that it will be a protected respected. industry.”

“SEED” PAYMENTS CONTINUE AT THE COMMUNITY-LEVEL IN AUGUST Beneficiaries of the Support for Education Empowerment and Development (SEED) Programme should expect the luxury of having grant payments made to them in their various communities in August.

The Ministry of Social Development, Housing and Community Empowerment, informs that monthly payments for August 2020 will begin on Wednesday, August 19 and end on Friday, August 21, 2020.

The full payment schedule will be released soon via various media platforms and also posted to the Ministry of Social Development, Housing and Community Empowerment’s Facebook Page.

Please note that the adjustment in the payment process is in a bid to exercise social distancing protoco ls and protect our clients against the potential threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Ministry urges all beneficiaries and agents to follow all health protocols, which includes the mandatory wearing of masks and sanitization at all payment centers.

A message from the SEED Unit, Ministry of Social Development, Housing & Community Empowerment Please contact the Ministry’s HELPLINE at (473) 440-4787 or our direct line at (473) 440-2269, for more information.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH) DISMISSES CLAIMS OF INHUMANE FACILITY

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The Ministry of Health has dismissed claims that individuals in Government-approved quarantine facilities are being subjected to inhumane conditions.

A video began circulating on social media on August 11 showing a building with loose pieces of boards and what appeared to be vacant rooms, which an individual claimed is where she is being held in quarantine, by the Government of Grenada.

However, Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Health, Keville Frederick, explained that the individual forcefully entered the particular area shown in the video and that this area is not being used Keville Frederick by the Government to house anyone. He said that area is being renovated and is not in commission.

“The individual in question would have come through where I pointed out earlier and forcefully opened that door, entered, walked through the entire downstairs and came out on the outside to highlight things like construction works that is still taking place. She even went as far as showing a video of the laundry room - this

is where there are washing machines where they get to wash their linens free of charge. What she highlighted was the decommissioned area,” Frederick said.

Member of the COVID-19 Response and Management Team, Tonya Hyacinth, said Government has been given permission to use the second and third floors of two buildings on the compound. She said it is unfortunate that someone would highlight the facilities that Government is investing in, in such a negative light.

“It is very unfortunate that something like this would be shared in the media and be broadcasted as a site that is being used for quarantine. If you look at the contents, of course, no human being should be put in such, but this is not what is being used for quarantine. You are coming back to Grenada without finances. Government understands that

and therefore is using this as a last resort.

We also have to consider that you are getting somewhere to have a night’s rest free of cost, but there’s a cost to someone else.

Tonya Hyacinth

There’s water being used, there’s electricity being used, there’s laundry facility, which is housed at the back that can be used by people, so there is a cost to that as well, and there is a cleaning and sanitation cost and it’s unfair for the cleaning and sanitation services that is procured by Government to be put in a light, speaking that this place is not clean. Cleaning and sanitation is done after everyone leaves each room.”

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RGPF RECEIVES NEW FIRE ENGINES At a handing over ceremony on August 11, Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Hon. Keith Mitchell, presented the keys for new fire engines worth an estimated EC $1.3 million, to Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Ministry, with responsibility for National Security and Home Affairs, Kim Frederick, who in turn presented them to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Franklin Redhead.

areas of the country that are not appropriately served by fire service and that, of course, we cannot rest until we are able to meet that fundamental need. So, it is certainly a work in progress.”

Prime Minister and Minister for National Security, Dr. the Right Honorable Keith Mitchell, stated during his remarks, at the handing over ceremony, that the purpose of these newly purchased fire engines is to ensure that the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) fire department satisfies the demands of the public, by providing efficient fire response throughout the country.

The Minister for National Security said, “It is in that context, in the discussion with the Commissioner, we’ve agreed that we need to professionalize the fire department, we need to provide the necessary training and of course to provide that opportunity to grow the department to have succession planning. In other words, we don’t wait till a capable officer is about to retire to bring somebody in. We have to plan and I always believe in planning, because it says that a stitch in time saves nine.

So, it is in that context we are bringing in and permission has been given already to bring in fifteen new trainees - persons who have been trained appropriately to upgrade and to provide that necessary service.”

The Prime Minister said, “We see this as a critical need and therefore the investment, we believe, was absolutely necessary. I am, of course, very concerned that we still have

Planning is critical in ensuring continuous development of the services executed by the RGPF Fire Department.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mitchell highlighted work being done at the other stations on the sister isle of Carriacou, including the Carriacou Police Station and coast guard unit, with other support services being made available.

The Government of Grenada was commended for procuring the fire engines for the department and, by extension, the population.

The Deputy Commissioner said, “We all know that response time is critical for successful resolution of emergency situations, especially fires. The criticality of this situation was raised with Government in 2017, in an effort to remedy the situation, and while there are well acknowledged financial constraints that needs progress in that regard, because these units are not cheap. They can range from half a million dollars to one million dollars, based on the outfitting. It is heartening to finally witness the commencement of the rejuvenation of the national firefighting equipment fleet, with the first two units and, certainly, Government has to be commended for this, in very austere times and circumstances. In summary, the RGPF is seeking to have a number of units replaced and, of course, deploy additional units to satisfy new and expanded demands, into areas that have not been traditionally covered with embedded units.”

Following the handover ceremony, members of the Fire Department demonstrated the functionality of the fire engines.

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CARNIVAL-LIKE ACTIVITIES CAUSE CONCERN Government has expressed concern over the disregard of calls to cancel all carnival-like events during the month of August 2020.

On August 11, Minister for Culture, Sen. Norland Cox, during the Government’s weekly Post Cabinet Briefing, said Government’s concern has surfaced following the staging of several carnival-like activities, during the weekend of August 8 and 9 and into Tuesday, August 11, despite calls for all activities to be cancelled, as the country continues its fight against COVID-19.

Sen. Cox said while there is some level of understanding as to why many were not able to restrain themselves, Government is concerned about the large gatherings and disregard of COVID-19 protocols. However, the Minister for Culture commended Grenadians who considered the health and safety of themselves and their family, by not participating in these events.

Sen. Cox said, “We do not know everything about this virus. We do not know what is going to happen.

We are hoping that we can have Carnival next year.

Carriacou Carnival is early next year. The national carnival is later on in August. We are hoping that we can return to normal. We do not know, but what we do know is that for us to get there and to get there quickly and safely we need to follow these protocols and hence the reason why we’re really calling on each and every one to work with us. Today should’ve been our Carnival Tuesday, however, because of this pandemic we took that decision out of concern for the Nation, concern for our citizens, concern for everyone, and we just want to take the opportunity to commend persons who were able to restrain themselves from going out on the streets. We want to commend all those persons who acceded to our call not to parade the streets.”

because we just don’t know and we are airing on the side of caution, which is what we are trying to do. Younger persons can take it [novel coronavirus] home to their elder folks and, so, we are very concerned about that and so that is what we understand.

We are very understanding in this context, but we are very Sen. Norland Cox

concerned. We know that the psyche of persons is somewhat

challenged now - persons who really love their carnival celebrations, who in some way are affected by the COVID-19 and what it has done from a global standpoint - but we are asking for your continued cooperation at this time, so that we can keep each and every one of us safe.”

A recent advisory from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Grenada is high risk for COVID-19 and advised against travel to the island. Sen. Cox is confident that this advisory will in no way hinder any growth in tourism going forward.

He said, “When advisories go out, citizens will investigate, themselves, we believe and so in investigating they would find that, look, while there is an advisory they’d believe that they can travel to one or two countries safely, despite the advisory that is put out, and we are saying that the World

Travel and Tourism Council is saying that Grenada He says what was of even greater concern was the presence of children and young people, who were is a safe place to travel to. So, we believe that that not protected. in itself will counter and help whatever negative The Minister for Culture said, “The threat that is impact that CDC advisory will have. So, we believe likely if there is some spread, which we do not know, that we’ll be okay.”

GRENADA’S COVID-19 PROTOCOLS MUST BE FOLLOWED BY ARRIVING PASSENGERS

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The Government of Grenada is informing the general public and anyone arriving in the country from high risk areas that they must undergo a mandatory COVID-19 Rapid Test, following which they will be required to proceed to a government-approved accommodation, at their own expense.

With the country’s borders now open for international flights, this decision is in the best interest of public health and safety, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially since the border re-opening process takes into consideration the possible health risks posed by passengers coming from different regions of the world.

As per the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations, government wishes to remind the public that any person, who is asked by any official of the Ministry of Health to submit himself/herself to any testing for COVID-19, shall submit to such testing. In adtion for the purposes of these regulations, shall be guilty dition, any person who is directed by the Ministry of an offence. of Health to submit himself to self-isolation or quarantine must comply with the direction.

Government reiterates the importance of observing these regulations, in the interest of public safety.

A person who contravenes or fails to comply with these regulations, or any direc-

GRENADA’S PRIME MINISTER CONGRATULATES HIS TRINIDADIAN COUNTERPART ON HIS ELECTION VICTORY Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, has congratulated Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, on his victory at the polls on August 10.

The People’s National Movement, Dr. Keith Rowley which Dr. Rowley leads, was given another mandate to govern the twin island republic, retaining 22 of the seats contested.

Commenting on the PNM’s victory, Dr. Mitchell said, “The results show that the people of Trinidad and Tobago are confident in Dr. Rowley’s leadership abilities and are looking to you for continued direction to steer the country further along the path of development.”

Dr. Mitchell added, “With the support of his Cabinet and people, I am confident Dr. Rowley will succeed in pushing forward the country’s agenda, so that everyone can benefit.”

NADMA REMAINS VIGILANT Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), Sylvan McIntyre, said COVID-19 paved the way for an early start to the Agency’s hurricane preparedness plan.

He said the global pandemic pushed NADMA to ensure that shelter managers and volunteers were trained, protective gears were distributed and other measure taken, to ensure the safety of everyone, during the pandemic and busy hurricane season.

Speaking on the National Water and Sewage Authority’s weekly programme, NAWASA LIVE, Mc Intyre said, “COVID-19 is novel and we do not know nor have seen anything like this before and having to face a very active, above-average hurricane season, just makes double jeopardy and, so, we had to look as to how our coordinating mechanism would kick in if there was a situation, where God forbid that COVID had actually gotten worse; where the community spread was evident that we had to engage more at community levels. Our systems were in place. We were activated. Our district coordinators were on and prepared to be part of the process. Our staff; our stakeholders - we had to ensure that the safety protocol, every one of them, that we were able to cross them and having to be able to deal with shelters and quarantine facilities, et cetera, it just would tell you the magnitude of what we had to be dealing with. It really opened up a lot for us and it’s playing to our advantage, because I have said it on many programmes before, that COVID-19 actually jump started the hurricane season preparation for us.”

During the period that Grenada was under a Tropical storm watch, as a result of Tropical Storm Gonzalo, NADMA was criticized for not disseminating the list of hurricane shelters on time. McIntyre explained that the shelters are for emergencies and members of the public will always have access to them during an emergency, even without an official list being published.

He said, “I personally will be one of those persons advocating that we move away, and we have these emergency shelters inspected year-round. Once a facility is available that we would have it inspected and ensure that it meet the criteria, because it’s not just hurricanes that we are preparing for, but we’ve worked with that tradition of

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ensuring that they have been released and people understand where they are.”

Additionally, Mc Intyre said, “Facilities are there as emergency shelters. For 2020 Gonzalo, if we had to have used facilities, they were available. I think people became anxious that they were not announced and we had to balance between getting the best fit and the best point at which we need to say they are open. The system was activated, shelter managers and the system across the country - the district coordinators, they were informed and they were prepared to open these shelters.”

Sylvan McIntyre

Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA)

SOCIAL INTERVENTION AT COMMUNITY LEVEL Minister for Social Development, Hon. Delma Thomas, says her Ministry will continue to make social interventions at the community level in the coming weeks, with the launch of two physo-social programmes.

“Men’s Box’’ and “Sister’s Keepers’’ will empower both men and women to cope, during the COVID-19 period. The programmes will also focus on ways women can manage violence in the home and how men can reduce the statistics in the court system. The overall aim, according to Minister Thomas, is to build community resilience, since counselling by itself may not be effective.

The Minister said, “This project will provide targeted community members with essential skills to navigate complex situations; to facilitate community members’ capacity to reframe negative responses into more positive and meaningful ones,

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thereby reducing those issues that we’re seeing happening at the level of the community; to reduce the amount of young men entering the court system; to empower our young men with the necessary life skills training, to reduce negative interpersonal responses; to strengthen and train women and girls, to manage violence in their homes and communities; to empower women and girls to protect each other; to build a community spirit by standards mobilization.”

Minister Thomas said the interventions will also address child sexual abuse cases and male criminal offenses.

Hon. Thomas said, “It is important that we make necessary interventions to curb them and thereby building community resilience. We are of the view that our nation’s wealth is its people. As a ministry, we are in the process of finalizing a number of additional programmes, so we have

Hon. Delma Thomas

the counselling unit and that is ongoing, where we have a hotline that provides 24hour counselling, but Mr. Speaker we realize in these times we need more than just that 24-hour counselling. We need intervention, at the level of the community.”

INAUGURAL LEARN TO PLAY CHESS SUMMER CAMP The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development, Religious Affairs and Information is inviting students from primary and secondary schools, in St. George, to participate in Grenada Chess Federation’s (GCF) ‘Inaugural Learn to Play Chess Summer Camp (2020)’ from Monday, Aug. 17 to Friday, Aug. 21, at the Grenada Boys Secondary School (GBSS) auditorium, in Tanteen, St. George.

In an effort to provide a creative, fun, learning activity for primary and secondary school students, GCF will host an annual “Learn to Play Chess Summer Camp”.

This free, pilot camp is being launched in the parish of St. George and will, thereafter, be rolled out in the other parishes.

Participants in the “Learn to Play Chess Summer Camp” are expected to benefit significantly. Playing chess offers intellectual, social and academic improvement. The one-week camp will follow all protocols regarding social distancing and hygiene, outlined for schools.

Interested persons are asked to contact Mr. Ruggles Ferguson or Ms. Danielle Sylvester at the Ciboney Chambers, on telephone number on 440-2707, for registration.

The Grenada Chess Federation is a recently formed non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of Chess, in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, with schools and youth being the primary focus. In February 2020, the GCF was accepted as a full member of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

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A LOCAL STAYCATION WITH THE GTA

The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) said its recently launched “Paradise at Home” campaign is picking up momentum, with more stakeholders getting on board.

In June, the GTA introduced an opportunity for locals to take advantage of various deals at different cottages, hotels and guesthouses, through the ‘Paradise at Home’ campaign, which seeks to promote local tourism throughout Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

Communications Officer, Ria Murray, said the feedback from members of the public and

the business community is encouraging.

“We did launch our local tourism campaign “Paradise at Home” and the message was basically we live in the paradise, why not explore it and then we got some fantastic offers from local stakeholders. We must say, in terms of the offers, that more and more of our stakeholders are coming on board. We started off with the accommodation sector and now tour operators want to jump on board and offer their deals to locals as well and when we look at our postings on social media with “Paradise at Home” we’ve been getting calls, we’ve been getting

PUBLIC NOTICE –

CLOSURE OF VINCENNES ROAD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CULVERT The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Implementation will commence rehabilitation of the section of the Vincennes Road between Vole and Mt. Tranquil.

In that regard, the Vincennes Road will be closed for that section from Wednesday August 12, 2020 to facilitate the construction of a new box culvert.

The general public is advised that the work is planned for the duration of one month.

The Ministry apologizes for any inconvenience and anticipates the cooperation of the residents of the area and the general public.

For further information, please contact: • Mrs. Merina Jessamy, Permanent Secretary for Infrastructure Development and Implementation at 440-2271 or via email at ps@moiid.gov.gd; • Ms. Najar Andall, Chief Technical Officer at 440-2271 or via email at cto@moiid.gov.gd.

comments and as to where they can find the information with the deals and where can they go to enjoy their country, so the feedback has been very positive from the stakeholder side of things and then from the local side of things.”

For more information on the local campaign, visit the official website of the Grenada Tourism Authority www.puregrenada.com.

GFNC AND SAEP HOSTS TRAINING AS PART OF COVID 19 BACKYARD GARDENING INITIATIVE

The Grenada Food and Nutrition Council and the Climate Smart Rural Enterprise Development Project (SAEP), on August 13, the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council and the Climate Smart Rural Enterprise Development Project (SAEP) engaged Extension Assistants of the Ministry of Agriculture, as part of the knowledge-sharing process, in the implementation of Ministry’s COVID-19 Backyard Gardening Initiative.

Ten extension assistants from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, participated in a special session organized collaboratively by the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council and the Climate Smart Rural Enterprise Development Project (SAEP), as part of the COVID-19 Backyard Gardening Initiative.

The training, which was held at the Produce Chemist Lab at Tanteen, forms part of the knowledge sharing process on the benefits and utilization of selected crops, in the preparation and consumption of healthy meals.

The extension assistants will be able to use the information to provide enhanced technical and other support to the beneficiaries of the programme.

Gabriel Clarke, Agronomist and Unit Coordi-

nator at SAEP, said, “We are approaching the implementation of the backyard initiative with a kind of holistic view, meaning that we believe that we cannot provide that level of support and achieve the objective, which is more or less proper nutrition and safe and healthy nutrition at the household level without the individual beneficiaries knowing exactly what are some of the nutritional content of the material, in terms of plants that will be provided to them for their backyard gardening. So, we thought it very prudent that we provide you with those kind of information, basic information, that will assist in you providing that kind of support to the beneficiaries under the programme.”

The COVID-19 Backyard Gardening Initiative will support 500 vulnerable households along with support for geriatric homes in order to promote healthy eating and access to food. The training was facilitated by Gardiner Savoury, Community Nutritionist at the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council.

Savoury said, “I was able to cover our food groups and the nutrients they contain and just give some general information as it pertains to that. When you know what you’re eating and you’re cognizant of the fact that

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the foods that we have in Grenada are rich in nutrients, they’re healthy for individuals - our public - then I think it’s going to encourage you to plant more and, of course, if you plant more you are secure. You have food. I think that will definitely help with food security.”

The beneficiaries will be able to incorporate the knowledge on selected crops into food preparation, which would significantly contribute to maintaining a balanced diet at the household level. A total of 22 extension assistants, 10 from the Ministry of Agriculture and 12 from the Climate Smart Rural Enterprise Development Project (SAEP), will be providing technical and other support to beneficiaries of the Backyard Gardening Initiative.

The training for the SAEP Extension Assistants was held on August 12 and the Extension assistants from the Ministry were trained on August 13. The Backyard Gardening Initiative aims to promote healthy, nutritious, locally grown and safe foods for vulnerable persons in Grenada. The training is one of the initiatives by the Ministry of Agriculture, which is part of the National Food Security Strategy or COVID-19 Mitigation and Response.