Seventeen agricultural producers from Concord, Black Bay, and neighboring communities joined nine specialists from the Rural Development Unit (RDU) and a Western District Supervisor from Grenada’s Ministry of Agriculture in a comprehensive Sustainable Land Management (SLM) training session on December 1, 2025. The capacity-building event was orchestrated by the RDU under the Climate Smart Agriculture and Rural Enterprise Programme (SAEP).
This instructional gathering constitutes an integral component of the Capacity-Building Initiative within the Southern St George Water Supply Expansion Project (SSGWSEP), financially supported by the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF) through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
Aden Forteau, a distinguished Sustainable Land Management Specialist, facilitated the training by demonstrating crucial SLM methodologies encompassing natural resource protection, conservation, sustainable utilization, and rehabilitation of deteriorated zones. Participants received hands-on instruction regarding optimal soil and water preservation techniques, including reduced tillage approaches and rainwater collection systems. A particularly engaging segment involved constructing A-frames from basic materials like timber and twine—an essential tool for identifying contour lines that facilitate effective farming, drainage, and terracing operations to minimize slope erosion.
The workshop emphasized practical implementation through live demonstrations, showing farmers how to incorporate these climate-adaptive strategies into their existing agricultural frameworks to enhance productivity while strengthening environmental durability.
Kenly Edwards, Climate-Smart Agriculture Coordinator at the RDU, characterized this initiative as part of continuing endeavors to fortify community resilience and advance sustainable farming development throughout Grenada. Edwards confirmed that subsequent training sessions will proceed under the UKCIF-backed project to encourage responsible land management and climate-resistant agricultural methodologies.
Dr. Stephen Fletcher, Director of the Rural Development Unit, observed that the RDU-SAEP’s inclusion as an executing partner for this project dimension demonstrates the escalating confidence that Nawasa (National Water and Sewerage Authority) maintains in the Unit and its personnel.