Grenada is looking to meet all targets in relation to its Land Degradation Neutrality ( LDN) Assessment by the year 2030.
Minister of Agriculture Hon. Yolande Bain-Horsford was Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification’s (UNCCD’s) Seventeenth Session of the Committee for the Review of Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 17), which convened here in Guyana, Monday 28th January.
Ms. Monique Barbut Executive Secretary of the UNCCD says that some 12 Billion acres of land are destroyed every year.
With this in Mind, the island’s Minister for Agriculture Yolande Bain-Horsford says her ministry is looking to mitigate, through a number of land-related projects by the year 2030.
“Grenada Undertook the setting up of voluntary LDN targets, that should be achieved by 2030. The targets were :Increasing the fertility and productivity of 580 acres of crop and land ,transform 800 hectares of abandoned cropland by into agro-forestry,implement soil conservation measures on 120 hectares ,rehabilitation of 385 Hectares of degraded land at Belle Vue on Our Sister-isle Carriacou,rehabilitation of 100 hectares of degraded forests in Grenada.”
Grenada’s Minister in her comments also mentioned aspects of a Soil Care Project.
“Regarding Soil care, aspects of that project, farmers will soon be able to track the status of their land. That includes what type of fertilizer and how much to use, and things they can plant including the timing.”
The Meeting that Guyana is hosting, allows delegates ie, Ministers, Civil Society Organisations, UNCCD Focal Points and staff an opportunity to explore the real-time situation on implications of land Degradation, linking them to poverty and poverty eradication, meaningful action, Gender equality, and Climate change.
It also offers a platform for countries to provide updates on their Land Degradation Neutrality Assessment.
The two day meeting will is being held at the Arthur Chung Center in Guyana.
The Minister is accompanied by the UNCCD Focal Point for Grenada, Mr.Trevor Thompson.