Grenada

Country Profile

Grenada Grenada, the southern most of the Windward Islands, is known as the Spice Island of the Caribbean. It covers an area of 344 km2 (133 mi2). The state of Grenada consists of three main islands: Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. The highest peak is Mount St Catherine, which rises to 840 m (2,756 ft) above sea level. The average annual rainfall is 1524 mm (60 in). The economy of Grenada is dependent on agriculture and tourism, and while tourism is the main source of foreign exchange, historically, the island has been an agricultural society. In 2006 the agricultural sector accounted for 6.04 % of Gross Value Added[1], up from 4.72% in 2005, as the island continues to recover from the devastation of the recent hurricanes experienced (Ivan in September, 2004 and Emily in July 2005). Agricultural export products are nutmeg, mace, cocoa, bananas, other fruits, vegetables and fish, while agro-processing is becoming more important. Grenada is the second largest producer of nutmeg in the world and remains a significant producer of mace, cinnamon, ginger and cloves.

CARDI Grenada Overview

CARDI Grenada is the Institute’s main centre for fruit tree crop research and development activities and germplasm conservation and distribution. Fruit tree gene bank of 25 accessions of 15 species are maintained for exploitation. These include sapodilla Manilkara achras (Mill.) Fosberg), golden apple (Spondias cytherea L.), West Indian cherry (Malpighia glabra L.), mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) figs (Ficus carica L.) and cashew nut (Anacardium ocidentale L.). The dwarfing technology developed for golden apple is one of the major achievements of the Unit. Arrangements are being made to establish on-farm demonstration plot for the transfer of technology. Other research and development areas of the Grenada Unit include activities on papaya and hot peppers. The Unit also provides vegetable nursery services which includes training, technical advice and planting materials.

Work Programme for the Medium Term 2008-2010

Commodity development – Crops

Sweet potatoes

  • Multiply and distribute planting material
  • Source for stakeholders better varieties for export

Hot peppers

  • Validate and transfer high density production system
  • Test and transfer the effectiveness of 'GSR Calcium' to control stem borer & improve yields

Fruits

  • Establish on-farm demonstration plot for transfer of dwarfing system for Golden Apple
  • Test tolerance of papaya varieties to bunchy top disease
  • Maintain germplasm and distribute planting material of fruit tree crops

Food crops

  • Maintain germplasm and distribute planting material of food crops

Country Highlight Report

For highlights of work by the CARDI office in Grenada, Click here

 

CARDI Representative

Mr Reginald Andall

Contact Information

Mailing Address:
CARDI Grenada
P.O. Box 270
St George's
Grenada.

Location:
CARDI Grenada
Westerhall
St David's
Grenada.
Phone: (473) 443-5459
Fax: (473) 443-2939
Email: cardignd@caribsurf.com

Partners and Collaborators


[1] Source: Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) National Accounts Statistics 2006/07, September 2007