Photo: Senior government officials, FAO representatives and project partners at 12th Project Steering Committee meeting for the BIOREACH Project.
Front Row from Left: Dr. Gillian Smith, Mr. Sanjay Singh (Chairman), Mr. Denny Dipchansingh.
Back Row from Left: Mrs. Tamika Seales- Monsano, Ms. Janelle Joe, Dr. David Persuad, Ms. Sandra Williams.
The 12th Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting of the BIOREACH Project under the chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Mr. Sanjay Singh, was held in Tobago on June 22, 2026
This meeting brought together senior government officials, FAO representatives and project partners. In its remit to provide strategic oversight and governance of the BIOREACH Project, the Committee reviewed progress and priorities for the project’s final phase.
Members also used the opportunity to see the project’s impact first hand, visiting a riparian restoration site along the Courland River, where tree planting efforts are helping to stabilize riverbanks and enhance biodiversity.
Field engagements also continued at:
- Main Ridge Forest Reserve – A bird banding exercise highlighting biodiversity monitoring efforts.
- Kendal Farm School – The Farmer Field School train-the-trainer programme engaging extension officers and lead farmers.
Together, these activities demonstrate BIOREACH’s commitment to ecosystem restoration, capacity building and resilient rural livelihoods in Tobago.
ABOUT THE BIOREACH PROJECT
The BIOREACH project is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development. The project is executed by the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA). The Project aims to conserve biodiversity, restore degraded lands and improve the livelihoods of rural communities through a highly demonstrative approach that includes pilot projects spearheading the restoration of forests and riverbanks as well as the promoting positive and sustainable practices with farmers through the lead farmer training programme.
Photos provided by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).
