Project Overview
OVERVIEW
West India Spices Inc (WISI) is the largest agro-processing company in Grenada, its core business is the distillation of nutmeg and other spices into essential oils. It purchases raw materials - nutmeg, lemon grass, pimento, cloves, etc. – from local farmers and produces essential oils to the cosmetic, health, tourism, spa and food processing industries.
The nutmeg industry currently employs about 2,500 farmers and contributes to the livelihoods of 15,000 persons in a population of 100,000. The findings of the Grenada Nutmeg Development Strategy (2010-2015) suggest that there are feasible opportunities to expand primary production and the processing of nutmeg, and increase income earning options for locals, including among the youth.
This project “Enhancing Export Capacity through Improving Raw Material Supply Capacity and Marketing” aims to build the domestic supply capability of an important domestic agri-business firm in the nutmeg value chain. In a practical sense, the Project will demonstrate the benefits to be derived from producing high value products, arising from the appropriate application of renewable energy technology and from effective management of ‘natural risks’ which are inherent in the agri-business system.
This project, financed by the CDF and other partners, seeks to address the major constraints to expanding and improving the competitiveness of the production and processing of nutmeg in Grenada:
• The lack of a drying facility for nutmegs and other spices.
• WISI’s reliance on higher costing fossil fuel-based energy.
• Number of farmers engaged in and acreage under primary production and by extension the reliable supply of raw materials.
The project will construct an all-weather nutmeg drying facility; install solar panels to reduce WISI’s reliance on the grid; sensitise farmers on opportunities to participate in the industry; and develop an implement an export market strategy.
