Answering the Call Home: Grenadians and Friends Unite to Restore the Spice Isle
Grenada has long been known as the Spice Isle of the Caribbean, a title earned through generations of producing some of the world’s finest nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, cocoa and other spices. For decades, these crops have been central to the country’s economy, identity and international reputation.
That legacy, however, suffered a devastating setback when successive hurricanes, most notably destroyed millions of trees and severely impacted Grenada’s agricultural sector. While the island has made significant strides in rebuilding, efforts continue to restore its spice industry and reclaim its position as one of the world’s leading producers of nutmeg and other spices.
It was against this backdrop that Prime Minister Hon. Dickon Mitchell issued a call to members of the Grenadian diaspora returning home for Grenada Diaspora Homecoming 2026. Rather than simply inviting them to celebrate their heritage, he encouraged them to become active participants in the country’s recovery by taking part in a national Spice Tree Planting Initiative aimed at replenishing what had been lost.
On Sunday, they answered that call.
Scores of returning nationals, alongside residents and volunteers, gathered to plant spice trees across the island, contributing to an initiative that extends beyond environmental restoration. Each tree planted represents an investment in Grenada’s agricultural future, its economic resilience and the preservation of the industry that has defined the nation as the Spice Isle of the Caribbean.
Among the farms participating in the initiative was Good Farming, a 10-acre property owned by Grenadian farmer Mr. Evans Gooding, whose personal journey mirrors the resilience and determination that have come to define the country’s agricultural recovery.
Gooding’s love for farming began in childhood and, despite spending several years living in the United States, he says it was a passion he never left behind. Upon returning to Grenada, he naturally gravitated back to agriculture, embracing what he describes as his first love.
Reflecting on the Spice Tree Planting Initiative, he praised the programme as a timely and meaningful effort to strengthen one of Grenada’s most important industries.
It’s an initiative, he said, that aligns closely with work he had already committed himself to doing.
The gentleman farmer recalled inheriting a thriving collection of nutmeg and other spice trees from his parents, many of which were destroyed by the hurricanes that devastated the island’s agricultural sector.
“It’s part of my goal as of last year to replant my nutmeg and my spices,” he said. “I inherited so many from my parents.”
While he continues to cultivate a wide range of crops, including season peppers, roots, tubers, vines and other produce, he views the replanting of spice trees as a longer-term investment.
“I enjoy that, but that’s not future,” he said, referring to some of the shorter-term crops. “My children aren’t really as into it as I am, so I just started planting up the trees, the spices, so actually they can inherit something.”
Pointing to the land around him, Gooding recalled that before Hurricane Ivan, the area was filled with nutmeg trees.
“This whole area here was nutmeg. As far as you could see was nutmeg, and the hurricane knocked down everything,” he said.
While he acknowledged that nutmeg trees remain vulnerable to strong winds because of their fibrous root system, Gooding said the risk of future loss cannot be a reason to stop planting.
“Almost every hurricane you can guarantee we’re going to lose some trees,” he said. “We know that, but again, if we don’t plant it back, we can’t call ourselves the Isle of Spice.”
For Gooding, the work is both practical and deeply personal. Listening to him speak, it quickly became apparent, that in many respects, his story captures the heart of the initiative. While the newly planted trees will take years to mature, the work of restoring Grenada’s spice industry begins with people willing to invest in its future today. It is an act of stewardship-of leaving the land in a better position than they found it and ensuring that future generations inherit something worth continuing.
Gooding was not alone in his commitment. Today’s spice planting expedition brought together farmers, volunteers, residents and members of the Grenadian diaspora, each contributing in their own way to the country’s ongoing recovery. While their stories and circumstances differed, they were united by a shared belief that restoring Grenada’s spice industry is a responsibility that extends beyond any one generation and beyond the island’s shores.
Among those who answered Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell’s call was Jacynthia, a Grenadian national who now resides in the United States.
For her, returning to Grenada for Diaspora Homecoming is an opportunity to contribute in a tangible way to the country’s continued development.
Participating in the Spice Tree Planting Initiative, she said, was a natural decision.
She believes members of the diaspora have an important role to play in supporting national initiatives that contribute to the country’s long-term growth and prosperity.
“I think it is an absolutely worthy cause for us to try to resurrect our position in this world as a leading nutmeg grower,” she said. “This is an initiative to get us back to where we once were.”
Having participated in several Grenada Diaspora Homecoming activities throughout the week, Jacynthia described the experience as both meaningful and rewarding.
“Overall, the event has been very fulfilling,” she said. “I’ve attended about four of them thus far. There are little hiccups here and there, but overall they’ve been fulfilling and successful.”
She said her involvement would not end with this year’s Homecoming celebrations.
“I will continue to support this initiative because those of us who want to see this land prosper should all come together and contribute,” she said. “Together, if we commit to this process, we can be a much better nation.”
Jacynthia also commended the Government of Grenada for creating opportunities that encourage members of the diaspora to move beyond simply reconnecting with their homeland and instead become active participants in its continued development.
“I commend the current administration for all the activities and the development that have occurred to this point,” she said.
While the initiative was designed to encourage Grenadians living abroad to reconnect with and contribute to their homeland, its message reached well beyond the diaspora.
Among those lending a hand was Miss Josephine, a Nigerian national who now resides in the United Kingdom. Although she has no familial ties to Grenada, she felt compelled to answer Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell’s call after visiting the island for the first time earlier this year.
That visit, she said, changed everything.
Having travelled to Grenada in January, Josephine quickly fell in love with both the island and its people. So, when she learned about Grenada Diaspora Homecoming and the Spice Tree Planting Initiative, she felt compelled to return.
“I visited the island in January of this year, and I fell in love with the island and the people,” she said. “When I heard about the Diaspora Homecoming, I decided I wanted to be part of it because this is a very beautiful island.”
Josephine told Your Caribbean Guide that her decision was rooted in a deeply held belief that caring for the earth is a shared responsibility.
“I believe the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,” she said. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from. One of the commandments God gave to man was to tend the earth. So whether it is Grenada or whichever part of the world you come from, I believe this is a very good initiative.”
She said she hopes not only Grenadians, but friends of Grenada from around the world, will embrace opportunities to contribute to the island’s future.
“I believe this is something that every Grenadian, and anyone from any part of the world who is a friend of Grenada, should be part of,” she said.
Asked what captivated her about Grenada during her first visit, her response was immediate.
“I fell in love with the land, the rainforest, the beaches and the people,” she said. “They are so friendly, they are so warm. Grenada is a beautiful island, and I would encourage people to visit.”
The Spice Tree Planting Initiative unfolded simultaneously in communities across Grenada on Sunday, with hundreds of volunteers coming together to help restore one of the country’s most important natural and economic resources. Organisers have made it clear that this is not intended to be a one-day exercise, but the beginning of an ongoing national effort to replenish Grenada’s stock of nutmeg and other spice trees and strengthen the industry’s long-term sustainability.
Meanwhile, the Grenada Diaspora Homecoming celebrations continue in earnest, with a packed calendar of cultural, community and business engagement activities still to come. Stay with Your Caribbean Guide as we continue to bring you stories from the heart of Grenada Homecoming 2026.
