ST GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC):

Grenada's governing New National Party (NNP) on Wednesday evening unveiled a series of new measures to reduce cost of living, which it says will be implemented if it retains the government in the July 8 general election.

The measures are contained in the NNP's 52-page manifesto, released during a special ceremony at the Trade Centre in St George's.

Serious challenge

"We are cognisant of the fact that rising food prices pose a serious challenge to our people, especially the poor and vulnerable," said Economic Affairs Minister Anthony Boatswain.

The party said it wanted to remove or reduce duties on essential supplies and identify alternative sources to those available in the Caribbean.

The manifesto says consideration will be given to pooling the purchase of items, such as food and textbooks, as well as improving feeder roads to reduce transaction costs to farmers. The incumbent party also wants to introduce an incentive scheme to boost agricultural output, such as the creation of a land-bank that would give citizens access to arable land for cultivation.

Plans to provide seeds, planting material and fertilisers to persons in agriculture and encourage home gardening through training and awareness have also been outlined.

Special window of financing

If re-elected, the NNP said it would open a special window of financing to assist small farmers and fishermen access capital.

Earlier this year, government launched separate food distribution and free milk programmes to help families combat the rising cost of living.