Policy setting for improved linkages between agriculture, trade and tourism:
Strengthening the local Agrifood sector and promoting healthy food in Agritourism

Workshop organised by the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines
In collaboration with CABA, CTA, IICA, CTO, CHTA, CDB, OECS

Beachcombers Hotel, 19-20 March 2019
    

Programme

Photos

Media

Video

PROGRAMME

SESSION TITLE/PRESENTER TIME
DAY 1 MARCH 19
REGISTRATION 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
opening session
Chairperson: Ashley Cain, Chief Agricultural Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry & Labour (MAFFRTIL)

Prayers

National Anthem

Speakers:

·   Raymond Ryan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry & Labour

·   Ena Harvey, Agro-tourism expert, IICA

·   George Alcee, OECS Representative

·   Hon. Cecil McKie, Minister of Tourism, Sports & Culture (MTSC)

·   Rodney Small, pannist (Pan Interlude)

·   Hon. Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
BREAK 10:00 – 10:15 a.m.
TECHNICAL SESSION #1 Setting the Scene: Opportunities to support linkages between agriculture & other sectors (trade, tourism and health) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the OECS

 

Ena Harvey (IICA): Objectives & Expected Outcomes of the workshop;  Global and Regional trends and the evolution of agro-tourism and food tourism [presentation] 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Learning from ECS Agro-tourism Experiences

Moderator: Steve Maximay

Panel

·   George Alcee (OECS): Agro-tourism success stories in the Eastern Caribbean States [presentation]

·   Colville King (MAFFRTIL): Review of SVG initiatives in agro-tourism development [presentation]

·   Michael Dalton (IICA): Lessons learnt from the implementation of the OAS Agro-tourism project [presentation]

10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Opportunities for Agro-tourism Development in St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Moderator: Steve Maximay

Panel

·   Camille Soleyn (MTSC): Overview of agro-tourism policy and product development [presentation]

·   Colville King (MAFFRTIL): Main agriculture and fisheries fresh and processed products with potential for agro-tourism-related markets [presentation]

11:30 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.
Lunch 12:10 – 1:10
Technical Session #2 Building Food Tourism in St. Vincent and the Grenadines: What needs to be done?
Moderator: George Alcee

Panel

·         Ena Harvey (IICA): Best practices and new opportunities in sourcing local food by the Chefs and linking with agribusiness actors [presentation]

·         Sharon Francis: Organising Food festivals and Food celebrations

·         Jerrol Thompson: Experiences in organizing a breadfruit festival [presentation]

1:10 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Challenges and Opportunities of supplying certified fresh and added-value food to the hospitality sector –What can be done better at the Policy Level? Perspectives of chain actors and support services. [presentation]

 Moderator: George Alcee

 Panel

·         Rohan Mc Donald: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry & Labour

·         Kim Halbich: Hotel & Tourism Association

·         Ezra Ledger: SVG Bureau of Standards [presentation]

·         Ferique Shortte: Agricultural Input Warehouse

2:10 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
DAY 2 MARCH 20
Michael Dalton (review): Highlights and keys decisions taken in day 1 9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.

 

Technical Session #3: Product Development and Branding: key areas to promote product development and branding quality for agro-tourism-markets [presentation]

9:05 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Moderator: Maria Fowell

 Panel

Invest SVG: Investment opportunities for small and micro-businesses in SVG

Susan Douglas (CIPO): Legal requirements for branding of products

Glen Beache & Kathique Haynes (SVG Tourism Authority): The importance of branding for product differentiation. International tourist trends and expectations. Gaps & opportunities for market linkages of agricultural products supplies to tourism markets

9:05 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
BREAK 10:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Session #4: Review of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Farm Tourism Strategy
Steve Maximay: Facilitator

 Group work: discussion on the action plan component of the SVG Farm Tourism Strategy

3 groups focusing on:

–       Farm tourism development

–       Culinary tourism

–       Development of food festivals [presentation]

10:15 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Lunch 12:00 – 1:00 a.m.
Steve Maximay: Facilitator

Agro-tourism policy and investment considerations and priority areas for development: Group presentations:

  • Key elements of the strategy/policy on agro-tourism and proposed actions.
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks & Vote of thanks 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.