标签： Grenada

The picturesque island of Carriacou recently celebrated the 10th Anniversary of its renowned Carriacou Corn Festival on October 26, marking a significant milestone in its cultural and economic recovery following the devastation of Hurricane Beryl in 2024. After an unprecedented cancellation, the festival’s return symbolized a triumphant renewal of community spirit and cultural pride. Since its inception in 2015, the event has highlighted the versatility of corn, one of the Caribbean’s most vital crops, transforming it into a culinary and cultural celebration. Attendees indulged in a variety of traditional and innovative corn-based delicacies, including corn wine, cornmeal ice cream, savory corn puddings, and corn dumplings, showcasing the crop’s enduring culinary significance. Dexter Leggard, the festival’s coordinator, emphasized the event’s commitment to innovation, stating, ‘We strive to introduce something new each year, and this year is no exception.’ Beyond its culinary offerings, the festival was a vibrant showcase of Carriacou’s rich cultural heritage. String band music filled the air, while the children’s corn float delighted audiences, engaging the younger generation in this cherished tradition. Exhibits featuring hand-held mills and other agricultural artifacts paid homage to the island’s farming roots. Stacey Liburd, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA), praised the festival as a ‘beacon of cultural resilience and innovation,’ highlighting its role in reestablishing Carriacou’s cultural prominence post-Hurricane Beryl. Minister for Tourism Adrian Thomas also commended the organizers and community for their dedication to preserving traditions and enhancing cultural tourism. The 2025 Carriacou Corn Festival not only celebrated the boundless potential of corn but also marked a renewed chapter in the island’s cultural calendar, supported by the GTA’s commitment to promoting Carriacou and Petite Martinique as premier cultural destinations.

In a significant move to safeguard children’s rights, Grenada has amended its 1966 Marriage Act, raising the legal marriage age from 16 to 18. Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell announced the amendment during a parliamentary session on November 4, emphasizing the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable minors. The change aligns with broader legislative efforts under the Spotlight Initiative, aimed at modernizing child protection laws. Mitchell highlighted that the amendment ensures children are not forced into marriage with parental consent, a practice that has long been criticized for exploiting young individuals. Additionally, the government is working on the Age of Civil Responsibility Bill, which would allow minors as young as 12 to access sexual and reproductive healthcare without parental consent. This proposal has sparked public debate, with civil society groups expressing concerns. Mitchell defended the bill, arguing that it prioritizes children’s health and well-being over sensationalism and conspiracy theories. He stressed the importance of consistency in setting the age of civil responsibility at 18, aligning it with other milestones like driving, voting, and obtaining identification cards. The Prime Minister warned that without such reforms, Grenada risks becoming a haven for exploitative practices targeting financially vulnerable families. The 2025 amendment to the Marriage Act marks a pivotal step in Grenada’s efforts to protect its youth and align its laws with international standards.

The Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Affairs has commenced its annual vessel inspection program for 2026. This initiative is a critical component of the government’s efforts to uphold maritime safety standards and ensure compliance with the Fisheries Regulations, SRO 3 of 1990. The inspections focus on verifying that all vessels are equipped with the necessary safety equipment as mandated by law. A detailed schedule has been released to guide stakeholders through the process. The Ministry emphasizes the importance of these inspections in safeguarding both the lives of maritime workers and the sustainability of marine resources. For further information, stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the official schedule provided by the Ministry.

On October 31, 2025, Grenada took a significant step toward modernizing its national food control systems with the facilitation of a Common Vision Session on the Food Safety Performance, Vision, and Strategy (PVS) Tool. The event, organized by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Grenada, brought together a diverse array of public and private sector stakeholders. Held at the Public Workers Union Building, the session was a collaborative effort involving the Caribbean Agriculture Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), supported by the EU Food Security SPS Measures Project. This initiative aligns with the broader regional goal of creating safer, more resilient, and trade-ready food systems. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Grenada Bureau of Standards, Environmental Health Department, Department of Fisheries, and various agro-processing and food safety entities. Gregory Delsol, IICA’s National Specialist in Grenada, emphasized the importance of bolstering domestic food production while maintaining robust food safety systems, particularly in light of the Caricom “25 by 2025 Plus 5” initiative. Dr. Janel Yard-Blackman of CAHFSA highlighted the PVS Tool’s role in fostering transparency, shared responsibility, and continuous improvement in food safety and trade integrity. Keegan Slinger of CRFM underscored the need for capacity building along the seafood value chain to meet international standards. Permanent Secretary Isaac Bhagwan reiterated that food safety is a collective responsibility, requiring collaboration across all sectors. Liana Worrell, Project Officer for the EU Food Security Programme, detailed the €19 million initiative’s focus on addressing vulnerabilities to global shocks like climate change and supply chain disruptions. The PVS Tool, developed by IICA and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), serves as a critical instrument for evaluating institutional and operational capacities within food safety systems, enabling Grenada to progress toward its national and regional food security and economic development goals.

The Youth in Agriculture Programme is making strides in engaging young entrepreneurs on the sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Launched in February 2023, this initiative aims to equip participants with essential skills in Crop Production, Livestock Management, and Agro-processing. To date, the programme has invested over US$2 million, underscoring its commitment to sustainable agricultural development.