Ministry of Agriculture and Lands-Given the Ministry of Agriculture’s
thrust to ensure Food and Nutrition Security for all, locals are involved in a three-week Bilateral
Training Seminar on Cold Storage Logistics here in Grenada. The training is sponsored by the
Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and organized with support from the
Department of Public Administration. It was opened on Thursday 21st November at the
Grenada National Stadium. Over the three weeks participants will become more aware of
manipulation of cold storage, such as suitable temperatures, Packaging and storage.
The opportunity for Grenada to have access to better cold storage facilities means local
produce such as fruits, vegetables and meats can be chilled or frozen; prolonging the shelf life,
maintaining the fresh appearance of the food and ensuring food availability through-out the year.
Cold chain technology is important in these modern times; given its significance in the food and medical industry; and in particular for small tropical countries like Grenada. The Dean of
international Logistics at the Department of Shandong foreign Trade Vocational College in
China, Daniel Lui Xiquan explains.
“This Seminar is designed to meet your increasing market demands for cold chain technology
and also an action under China’s belt and road initiative to promote the cooperation and
strengthen the friendship between China and Grenada “
He added that, “during the seminar participants will be privy to learning about China’s
economic reform and logistic industry, the history of the cold chain industry, information
technology in cold chain logistic management, China’s Cold Chain enterprises and also one
week practical training courses with two experts of the Cold Chain Industry from a famous Cold
Chain company in China, to build a cold chain storage at the La Sagesse Demonstration Farm.”
Sun Sen Director of General affairs Division and Deputy Director of Bilateral affairs at the
embassy of the People’s Republic of China congratulated all the candidates that were selected
to participate in the course. He said “The training will also include on site practice at the La Sagesse Farm land to enable trainees the practical skills on building and maintaining a low
temperature storage, a fundamental part in Cold Chain logistics.”
Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Mr. Elvis Morain said, “We
are very excited about the installation of such a facility here, where locals will be involved in the
process, hands on. While we have a mandate of ensuring food and nutrition security in this
context it means that we must insure that health and safety is foremost. The cold chain
management is critical to some of the things we do and this is an ideal opportunity to take
things to the next level.”
Alana Felix-Roberts Human Resource Officer at the Department of Public Administrations (DPA)
says this is the only bilateral training on home soil for 2019 and describes the training as timely.
The training will have a mixed methodological approach involving lectures, discussions and
practical sessions.
“This course is quite timely and necessary as some representatives from health, agriculture and
other related sectors will be exposed to critical knowledge and skills as it relates to maintaining
the integrity of pharmaceutical, agricultural and other temperature sensitive products.”
The Course runs from November 21st to December 12th, 2019. The Ministry of Agriculture and
lands hopes that this seminar will improve our technology, promote economic development
and strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
