Cabinet to Begin Weekly Stakeholder Meetings With Farmers and Supermarkets, Spokesman Says

Cabinet spokesman Maurice Merchant says the government will expand its new series of weekly stakeholder meetings to include farmers and supermarket operators, following what he described as a productive first session with 14 local contractors this week.

Merchant said the Cabinet intends to make these engagements a regular feature of its governance model, allowing policymakers to meet directly with groups across key economic sectors. He said farmers are scheduled to appear before the Cabinet next Wednesday, with supermarket operators set to follow soon after .

“These meetings will be a continuous process,” Merchant said, noting that the Ministry of Works will continue identifying contractors for future sessions while other ministries bring forward their own stakeholder groups. He added that the aim is to provide direct support, gather feedback and address operational challenges raised by industry participants .

Merchant said the move aligns with the government’s broader food security agenda, as farmers will be central to discussions on irrigation, fencing, seedling production, access roads, subsidies and the reassignment of unused agricultural lands. Supermarket operators, he said, will be engaged on issues tied to consumer prices, supply chains and national food resilience.

The decision follows what Merchant described as a “historic” meeting between the Cabinet and local contractors this week, where government announced new measures including a Contractor Support Unit, joint contracting opportunities and commitments to faster payments .

Merchant said the government views weekly stakeholder sessions as an important tool for maintaining transparency, strengthening sector performance and ensuring policies are informed by on-the-ground realities.

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