China-Aided Grenada Agricultural Technology Cooperation Project (Linked to Record ID#61055, #61057, #61058, #61059, #39678, #61061, #61062, #61063, #54955)

The China-Aided Grenada Agricultural Technology Cooperation Project (aka Granada Agricultural Technical Cooperation Project) started in 2005, but there exist a multitude of small projects which fall under this larger framework. [Linked to Record ID#61055: Grenada Agricultural Technology Cooperation Project Phase 1] Phase 1 included training local farmers; the establishment of a demonstration farm in Grenada; as well as providing seedlings, tractors, and a plowing machine.

The handover ceremony took place on May 30, 2007, and Chinese Ambassador Qian Hongshan signed the handover certificate to Grenadian Minister of Agriculture Gregory Bowen.

Phase 2 includes actively implementing the agricultural procedures. [Linked to Record ID#61057: Chinese Agricultural Flower Assistance to Grenada in 2008] In November 2008 a team of experts from Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences visited Grenada. The visit lasted from November 19 to December 3, 2008.

The team inspected progress of the flower-growing program, gave demonstrations, and provided planting guidance.

Phase 3 includes expanded interaction between the two countries. [Linked to Record ID#61058: Grenada Agricultural Technology Cooperation Project Phase 3] On July 16, 2010, the opening ceremony of the Phase 3 was held at La Sagesse Farm. The ceremony also included the signing of the acceptance certificate, officially closing Phase 2.

Part of the Phase 3 expansion has to do with opening the scope to livestock breeding and small agricultural machinery use and maintenance training. [Linked to Record ID#61059: Chinese Donate Agricultural Equipment to Grenada 2011] On April 29, 2011, China donated more agricultural equipment to Grenada's Ministry of Agriculture.

The donation included 3 small tractors, 14 walking tractors, other agricultural machines/accessories, breeding equipment, greenhouse equipment, and agricultural training projectors and computers. [Linked to Record ID#39678: China Donates Agricultural Equipment to Grenada 2013] On Jan 29, 2013, China delivered the fourth batch of an agricultural equipment donation worth EC$1.5 million to Grenada.

The completion ceremony was held on La Sagesse Farm, St. David, Grenada.

Phase 5 includes more technical demonstrations, training, and material assistance. [Linked to Record ID#61061: Grenada Agricultural Technology Cooperation Project Phase 5] From Sept 21, 2015 - Sept 20, 2017 Suntime International Techno-Economic Cooperation (Group) Co., Ltd. is the group recognized for spearheading knowledge and technology exchange efforts between China and Grenada.

Phase 5 ended with a visit from 8 agricultural technical experts sent from China.

From September 19-28, they carried out vegetable/flower demonstrations, livestock/poultry demonstrations, technical guidance and training, repair/maintenance of agricultural machinery, and donated various materials (machines, tools, irrigation equipment, livestock/farming equipment, seedlings).

The group also assessed the overall project progress and reported back to China's Economic and Commercial Counselor's Office. At the end of the visit on Sept 28, an initial Phase 6 acceptance was started.

Phase 6 is centered on the building of an Agricultural Experts Complex but also continues training/donations. [Linked to Record ID#61062: China-Aided Agricultural Experts Complex in Grenada ] With the help of China, Grenada built an Agricultural Experts Complex to upgrade their technology and improve the working conditions of local farmers.

Shanxi No.4 Engineering and Construction Company started the construction in December 2016, and was expected to finish in October 2017.

The handover ceremony was held on December 6, 2017 and attended by government officials, construction officials, and individuals invested in agriculture.

The building will house activities such as research, seed and seedling cultivation, agricultural training and promotion, conferences, and office space. [Linked to Record ID#61063: China Donates Agricultural Equipment to Grenada 2017] On April 6, 2017, the handover ceremony of agricultural materials.

The large-scale handover of over 400 items included planters, fertilizer spreaders, turning plows, rotary tillers, tractors, dump trucks, forklifts, excavators, greenhouse films, fertilizers, and seeds.

The equipment will be distributed by the Ministry of Agriculture to Grenadian farmers. [Linked to Record ID#54955: China Held Overseas Training on Modern Agriculture for Grenadians in 2018] One of the most recent instances of cooperation under the China-Aided Grenada Agricultural Technical Cooperation Project is the "2018 Grenada Modern Agricultural Development Overseas Training Course" held by China in Grenada.

The seminar provided students with an understanding of the new trends in world agricultural economic management, learning about China's modern agricultural economic management, new agricultural technologies, new models of economic management, etc. The launching ceremony for the event took place on August 28, 2018.

Phase 7 involves technical demonstrations for fruit, vegetable, and flower planting, as well as trainings for Grenadian agricultural technicians.

Phase 8 expands on the programs of previous phases, and has a particular emphasis on food security and agricultural self-sufficiency.