Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Pearnel Charles Jr, on the one-year anniversary of assuming the role, convened a meeting with all board chairpersons within his ministry to refresh strategic operations and enable more efficient operations.

Charles Jr, in delivering the opening remarks to those in attendance, charged his board chairpersons to collaborate their efforts and lend expertise to their fellow portfolio agencies.

Said the minister: “If you are in talks with an entity and you see where benefits through synergy can be derived for another portfolio agency within the remit of the ministry, I implore you to communicate with each other and share any pertinent information that could lend to the growth and expansion of the sector.”

Charles Jr shared with attendees his operational strategy for 2023, the Grow Smart Eat Smart national programme and the foreseeable future, and mandated them to communicate any deficiencies within their respective agencies.

In closing, he advised that he would be holding quarterly meetings with the newly convened council as he saw that many of the skillsets within the group could be beneficial to others.

The minister further used the opportunity to thank the board chairpersons for their service over the past year.