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HOME	APRIL 02nd, 2005

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A Grenadian Author who recently published a book about the local nutmeg industry believes the nation's young people are yet to grasp the value of the crop to the economy of the country.

That's the view of Claude Douglas, a Lecturer of Sociology and Political Science at the TA Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) at Tanteen, St. George's. His book called "The Battle for Grenada's Black Gold" speaks about the arrival of the crop from Indonesia to this country.

It also touches on the struggle over the formation of the Grenada Co-operative Nutmeg Association (GCNA), the conflict between the Association and W&W Spices, owned by Montserratian businessman Joel Webbe, and culminating in the most complete destruction of the nutmeg industry by hurricane Ivan last September.

Speaking to GRENADA TODAY on Tuesday, Douglas said that the book was written for posterity and that he wrote the book to give readers especially the young people a deeper insight into the importance of the industry to the tri-island state post Ivan.

He believes that youngsters in the country need to have a more profound knowledge and understanding of the industry since 35, 000 people in Grenada depend directly or indirectly on the crop for a livelihood.

According to Douglas, young people need to see nutmegs not only as a crop being exported by the country, but as a thriving industry with monies to be made from it. The book was written during the height of the conflict between the GCNA and W&W Spices for control of the industry.

Douglas spoke of experiencing difficulty in getting information for his publication. GCNA and W&W were at loggerheads following threats from the Keith Mitchell-led government to amend the 50 year old Nutmeg Ordinance that gives the Association the authority to be the sole agent responsible for the purchase of nutmegs in Grenada.

W&W Spices owned by Montserratian businessman Joel Webbe had begun operations in Birch Grove and was also involved in the purchase of the crop directly from farmers in contravention of the Ordinance.

Douglas pointed out that the battle now is no longer for the control of the industry but its resuscitation post Ivan. The Lecturer also spoke about drawing inspiration for his publication from former Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, George Brizan and his book known as "Grenada's Black Gold" .

Douglas called his publication a must read, saying that farmers, business people, school children and the general public should purchase a copy to learn more about the industry.

The Battle for Grenada's Black Gold was published by Maryzoon Press of Paradise, St. Andrew's with the cover being designed by Craig Joseph, a former TAMCC student. Copies of the publication are available at a cost of $25 each at a number of leading book stores in Grenada.