While the formal relationship between the GARDC and IICA has officially come to an end, there is expected to be further collaboration in several other areas in the future.

GARDC stands for the Gilbert Agriculture Rural Development Centre.

GARDC and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture embarked on a project using the country’s Vetiver grass to make various products,

A just concluded project dubbed Strengthening Coastal and Marine Climate Resilience through Upland and Coastal Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) and Community Engagement, was described by the organizers as fulfilling and inspiring.

It was used to mark the achievements of the importance of the project– the official launch of vetiver-based green businesses.

Gregg Rawlins ECS Representative said the project was not only timely but relevant, as he said it provides a suitable space for participants to “recognize the critical partnerships that have been forged during the life of the project and launch the vetiver-based green businesses, registered during the project. The event also provides a platform to showcase the products produced by Vetiver in the Exhibition-Mini-market, thereby demonstrating the potential of Vetiver for pursuing green business opportunities”.

Meanwhile, E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Agriculture, and Barbuda Affairs, participate in his first IICA-led action since his appointment in January 2023.

“He expressed his satisfaction in seeing the end products derived from the vetiver grass thus far, which creates a new niche market for agro-processors. He committed his support to GARDC and other project beneficiaries in building their green business ventures,” according to a press statement

Craig Thomas, Project IICA National Specialist, and local project Coordinator said the green business support went “beyond training and included business registration, which enabled legal registration and incorporation of two new green businesses”.