THE WORKSHOP INTRODUCED FARMERS TO A FRESH CONSUMPTION GUAVA VARIETY SOURCED FROM TAIWAN, WHICH OFFERS A LONGER SHELF LIFE AND GREATER MARKET APPEAL COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL LOCAL VARIETIES

The Guava Grafting Workshop was conducted under the Seven Crops Project, an initiative aimed at reducing Saint Lucia’s food import bill by increasing local agricultural production and introducing new crop varieties with strong market potential. While the project’s first phase focused on seven priority crops, including watermelon, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, pineapple, honeydew, cantaloupe, and bell pepper, the second phase seeks to further reduce imports by expanding the range of crops available to consumers and commercial buyers.

The workshop introduced farmers to a fresh consumption guava variety sourced from Taiwan, which offers a longer shelf life and greater market appeal compared to traditional local varieties that are primarily used for processing. Through hands-on training, participants learned grafting techniques that can improve crop quality, increase yields, enhance resistance to pests and diseases, and strengthen the long term sustainability of fruit production. The skills acquired can also be applied to other tree crops, including mangoes and other fruit varieties.

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to build farmers’ technical capacity, diversify agricultural production, improve food security, and create greater opportunities for local producers to meet the demands of households, supermarkets, hotels, and other buyers across Saint Lucia.