Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar says the recently concluded 2nd European Union Global Gateway Conference on Sargassum saw scores of investors in the production of commodities using the product come to the region.

The conference was held in Grenada from October 1st to the 2nd, 2024.

In an interview with NBC Radio News, the Minister says each member state of the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean State was asked to come up with a plan on ways the investors would be able to use the biomass from the seaweed to set up a supply chain for export or speak to investors about visiting the different member states.

Minister Caesar says Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is in the process of completing the work plan and strategic framework to be presented to the European Union in two weeks.

"There is a possibility that utilizing the technology available now that even before the seaweed comes to the shore, we would be able to harness and harvest it at sea, and that's dependent on whether or not the person who is purchasing it would want it dry, or they would have it harvest at sea. But, it's incredible to see how many countries in the world are utilizing this seaweed of course, for persons to get to that level they have invested significant sums in research and development it is not to say that is just something you can get into from a production standpoint."

The Minister says the ministry is grateful for the support provided by the European Union and within the region, within the OECS member states.

"There would be a need for us to collaborate because if you are aware the quantity of seaweeds that comes in it varies so it's not to say you can place a factory on an island and you can predict the throughput because it's seasonal one (1) and if you are going to make a major investment on a production platform, you want to ensure you have that throughput that would make it practical, feasible and sustainable as well."

SOURCE: National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC Radio)