WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE MINISTER PLEDGED TO CONTINUE ADDING VALUE TO THE SECTOR.

Incoming Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, Hon. Alfred Prospere, began his familiarization tour with the goal of visiting department workers, presenting himself, and learning about current developments in the various divisions. He was accompanied by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Barrymore Felicien, as well as other senior officials.

The tour began at the National Agricultural Diagnostic Facility in Union, which houses several agricultural departments including the Plant Research and Development Division, Agricultural Engineering Services, Veterinary and Livestock Services Division, and the Metrology Unit of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards.

The department heads provided an overview of all ongoing initiatives, as well as concerns in their divisions. Hon. Alfred Prospere indicated that while he leads the ministry in a new path, he intends to work closely with the experts within his ministry to strengthen Saint Lucia's agriculture sector.

“Moving forward, this ministry as the Ministry of Agriculture will prioritize food security, nutrition security, and encourage farmers and key stakeholders in the agriculture sector to come back to the industry,” Minister Prospere said.

The tour continued with a visit to the Propagation Station in Union, where the honourable minister engaged the staff of Tissue Culture, the Propagation Station, and the Soufriere Bath Station in discourse on the future of their departments.

“The staff is making an invaluable contribution to the ministry and I know they will continue to do that. Our farmers depend heavily on propagated plants. The challenges are many, but I think they can be addressed in the short to medium-term and I really believe that we need to pay more attention to their needs,” he said.

Minister Prospere, while acknowledging all that has been accomplished thus far, reiterated his commitment to improving and adding value to Saint Lucia's agriculture sector. The minister’s tour will continue on Thursday, with site visits of various agriculture facilities in Regions 1 and 2.