In observance of World Food Day, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Co-operatives, Hon. Ezechiel Joseph, outlined several initiatives currently underway by the Ministry of Agriculture, that will improve the island’s food security.

Emphasizing government’s commitment to agriculture, the minister indicated that Cabinet had approved a proposal for the restructuring of the Saint Lucia Marketing Board and the Saint Lucia Fish Marketing Cooperation.

He detailed additional initiatives.

“With the support of the Republic of China (Taiwan), very soon we shall commence a three-year import substitution project. The objective is to reduce the importation of seven vegetables that we believe that can be grown on a sustainable basis in Saint Lucia. These are tomatoes, sweet peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, cabbages, watermelons and pineapples,” he said.

“We will see very soon, the opening of the National Diagnostics Facility at Union which will be home to two units of the Division of Agriculture and the Metrological Unit of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards.” According to the minister, the facility is expected to provide technical and analytical services to agriculture and other major economic and productive sectors.

The Ministry of Agriculture is also reviewing the Agriculture Incentives Act with a view to simplify the process; and will focus on the improvement of agro-processing and value added products.

“Encouraging the utilization of locally grown food and forest products will improve the livelihoods of participants and increase the demand for their production,” Minister Joseph said. “In keeping with our area of focus, let it be known that the government has established agro processing facilities in Fond Assau and Augier. We are also supporting many private individuals with the establishment of their own facilities by providing capacity building to processors and students at the various schools.”

Hon. Ezechiel Joseph assured that despite the many challenges, the Government of Saint Lucia remains committed to agriculture in Saint Lucia.

World Food Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 16. The 2018 observance is being celebrated under the theme “Our Actions are Our Future: A #ZeroHunger World by 2030 is Possible.” Minister Joseph said that this year’s theme coincides with the many challenges that confront the region, given the effects of climate change.