PLAN LAUNCHED

Governor General, Dame Cecile La Grenade, unveils
the Five Pillars of the Marketing and National
Importing Board (MNIB) Strategic Plan.

By Linda Straker

A wider cross-section of the farming and agri-farming communities is now more knowledgeable about the Marketing and National Importing Board (MNIB) Strategic Plan, which will be their guiding principle document as they seek to become more profitable and at the same time develop the agriculture industry in Grenada.

Chairman of the Board, Samuel Andrew, said that June 17, 2014 marked a significant turning point in the history and life of the MNIB because it was the day that they started to implement a plan that will change the agricultural community.

“This plan as presently today, is a plan that will position the Board and put its decision in line with the national agenda, so that it can plan its role in national development. This plan will also increase the Board’s relevance to national and global development,” he said, while explaining that the bottom line will be profit maximisation.

The MNIB launched its six-year strategic plan at the Spice Basket, in a ceremony where the highlight was the unveiling of the Five Pillars of the plan by Governor General, Dame Cecile La Grenade. The plan itself was an internal project of the MNIB, two years in the making and was spearheaded by former General Manager, Fitzroy James.

The five pillars that will guide the work of the MNIB will be: Increase in product supply stream; Institutional strengthening; Viable and robust export sector; Development of the agro-processing industry; and Development of a strong meat industry.

With regards to expanding the plan, CEO Ruel Edwards said that in the area of export it is the hope that by 2020, the MNIB will have a strong overseas presence in the diaspora market and export 2.5 million pounds of produce per year.

The plan also provides for reaching a target of 25 per cent increase in exports using 2014 as its baseline and at the same time have a well-developed, value-added sector.

One of the new areas of focus will be the area of meat production and this is expected to be done in partnership with livestock farmers and organisations whose focus and membership is in the meat industry.

“We will be working to realise a 20 per cent reduction in fresh meat imports and at the same time export meats to other parts of the region,” Edwards told the farmers.

Critical to achieving the plan, in particular their desire to export to the USA market, is the need for the MNIB to have a safety system within its working environment. Edwards said that currently, no such system exists and it will be a priority.

“The intention is that by December 31st, 2015, the MNIB will have a safety system as this will give us the break to export our produce to the USA and other markets,” he said.