Boost for agricultural producers – 5 Get Solar Dryers

THE Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology is pressing with its mandate to promote the use of renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency in Saint Lucia.

Five entrepreneurs from around the island have been selected to be the recipients of solar dryers to support the development of their enterprise in the preservation and processing of agricultural produce and products.

Solar dryers are a cost-effective alternative to the traditional fossil fuel based oven dryers as it utilizes the natural resource of the sun.

Through the Sustainable Energy from Concept to Action Project funded by the Republic of China/Taiwan, training was provided to over fifty Saint Lucians in both the north and south of the island on the application of solar drying and solar dyer construction.

Upon completion of these sessions solar dryers were constructed by the participants. The Ministry in its efforts to ensure equal opportunity for distribution of the solar dryers undertook a survey of the needs of participants. Based on the information provided by the survey, the recipients are:Saint Lucia Network of Rural Women Producers (Babonneau Cluster), Beverly Ann Pierre (Marigot), Lucy Henry (New Development Soufriere), Gregory Deterville (Canaries) and Paulina Ferdinand (La Pointe, Mon Repos)

All recipients signed agreements with the Ministry and were awarded their solar dryers during a brief ceremony on Thursday on the premises of the Ministry`s Head Office at the Norman Francis Building, Balata.

The Government of Saint Lucia continues to promote the use of indigenous sustainable energy and the use of renewable energy technologies to enhance productivity and the quality of life of all citizens.