THE PROJECT WILL FOCUS ON STRENGTHENING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN LOCAL FARMERS AND THE DOMESTIC MARKET.

The Government of Saint Lucia, and the Republic of China (Taiwan), have signed an action plan to commence the project “Enhancing the Efficiency of Production and Distribution Supply Chain in the Fruit and Vegetable Sector.”

The overall intention of this project is to improve farmers’ production and harvest processing techniques to further increase their incomes.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources, and Co-operatives, Hon. Ezekiel Joseph, expressed his gratitude towards the Ambassador and the people of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

“I’m happy that you, your Embassy, and your government have seen the need to give support to the government and the farmers of Saint Lucia,” he said.

The Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Saint Lucia, His Excellency Douglas C.T. Shen, noted the importance of the project to agriculture in Saint Lucia.

“The major plan will be focused on strengthening the connection between local farmers and the domestic market by establishing various systems, such as the agricultural information system, farmer certification system and traceability system,” he said. “Moreover, the project will enhance production and post-harvest processing techniques. We understand that the Government of Saint Lucia has embraced increasing domestic production of fruits and vegetables for import substitution in its agriculture strategies. This new project is well proposed and will be instrumental to meeting this target.”