Minister

Hon. Saboto Caesar
Biography

Welcome

  Welcome to the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry & Labour.
The Ministry is the institutional body of the state responsible for the 
formulation, articulation and implementation of all policies and plans relating to Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry & Labour. 
The administrative arm of this Ministry is responsible for:
   - The co-ordination of all programmes of the various Departments, Divisions and Units.
  - The maintenance of communication with local, regional and international bodies affecting the functions of the Ministry.
  - The administration of revenue and expenditure transactions approved by Parliament.

Local traditional cannabis cultivators and OECS workers intending to work on local, sub-regional and Canadian farms, stand to benefit from a new training program in safe cannabis production methodologies.

The Medicinal Cannabis Authority (MCA) of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is set to launch the innovative program tomorrow, Thursday, October 24th, 2019.

The initiative is expected to place traditional cultivators in a position that will improve production and productivity in the medicinal cannabis industry.

The training course will include theoretical and practical learning in the efficient production of cannabis in indoor, greenhouse and outdoor settings. The main areas covered in the curriculum will be: botany and propagation of cannabis, environmental requirements, pest and disease management, harvesting and post harvesting practices.

Additionally, training would be provided on industrial standards related to Good Agriculture and Collection practices (GACP). Upon completion of the training, participants will be provided with a certificate from the MCA.

The program forms part of the Government’s mandate to ensure the smooth transition of traditional cultivators of cannabis into the legal medicinal cannabis industry.

The Government carved out, through the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act, 2018, a special space for this group of farmers in the form of a traditional cultivator’s license. This license, among other provisions, allows for medicinal cannabis cultivation of upwards of 5 acres and is offered on preferential terms – only $100 for processing of application with no license fee attached for two years.

 

SOURCE: National Broadcasting Corporation

phone
(784) 456-1410
pbx
(784) 456-1111
ext. no.
5301/5302
email
office.agriculture@mail.gov.vc, agricomsvg@gmail.com

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