Grenada has the means to restore and develop its economy but lacks the will to acquire the technology necessary to harness those means. This is the view of former Prime Minister of Grenada Mr. George Brizan who wants to see an economic revival in the land.

Brizan in an unhesitant declaration firmly believes that agriculture and Agro-processing are still the vehicles that has to take this country into the future if the government and people will act now by taking bold and innovative decisions.

Brizan told the Barnacle in an exclusive interview that he longs to see some serious attention being paid to the development of agro-industry in Grenada.

He said “This agro-industrial thrust I am talking about will require serious technological input but the benefits will be great”.

The former Minister of Agriculture made mention of the multi-billion US dollar cosmetic and perfume industry internationally and indicated that the base material being used in those industries is myristic acid most of which is produced from coconut oil.

However he explained the commodity that has the most myristic acid is the nutmeg which is 95% myristic acid therefore we have what necessary to grow our country we just have to use the science to get the material.

When asked where the process of economic recovery should begin he said it must begin with the agriculture and agro- processing.

The former prime minister, an economist by training said there is no instant coffee solution, no quick fix but one has to start somewhere. He doesn’t think our leaders understand economics not do they understand the very good prospects for agro-processing in Grenada.

He said it’s not making nutmeg jam or something but dealing with the science of the industry.

Brizan admits that it saddens him to see the state of agriculture now after all the work that was put into developing the sector during his time in government and what he is hearing and seeing now in relation to agriculture is just gibberish.

What should poor people do now that they are facing a destroyed agricultural industry and a reality of extreme inflation, the former agricultural minister was asked?

“What we need is an administration that understands what has to be done and how to use the human resources that we have for maximum effect. I do not think that the present administration understands economics and that is working out to our detriment. He lamented.

He mentioned one individual in particular who understands financial economics but is not likely to be utilized in this political era.

He said in economic development there are two kinds of expenditures. There is investment expenditure and consumption expenditure. To Brizan’s mind investment expenditure is not the solution but rather consumption expenditure.

He mentioned the Port Louis development as an example of investment expenditure but consumption expenditure has been proven to work as opposed to investment expenditure at a time when a small economy is in shambles.

There was a time in Grenada he said when farmers of traditional and non-traditional crops alike got several sources of income. In nutmeg, cocoa, banana, minor spices, fruits and vegetables they got an advanced payment and at the end of the year he ensured that they got a back pay for each of the commodities that they had been selling including minor spices and fruits and vegetables because he made sure that the Minor Spices Cooperation and the Marketing and national Importing Board were well managed by a competent board of directors.

He said during that time farmers would invite him to Grenville on a Saturday saying La Baye, “It was like a carnival because of the level of economic activity taking place there. He recalls. He said that was the power of economics, economics in practice. If we truly want to build this country we must put money in the pockets of the people.

Brizan said the old adage of grow what you eat and eat what you grow is still true and if that is not implemented we are in trouble.

He also advocates eating our local foods, fruits and vegetables for optimum health. Things like West Indian Cherry, Calalloo, paw-paw he said are all foods that build the immune system and therefore must be consumed everyday.

Brizan has been living with diabetes for the last 40 years and only strict and sensible dieting with local foods keeps him going.