SAINT Lucia’s agricultural sector continues to play a dominant role in its socio-economic development. Agricultural trade has been and continues to be a major factor in determining food and nutrition security outcomes and a key driver of economic activity. Unfortunately our agricultural sector is in a threatening situation. We are asked to make our territory food secure but we are continuously plagued with many ills (Climate Change, natural disasters, praedial larceny and threats of exotic disease outbreaks, to name a few). Presently our producers are facing a crisis unlike any they have ever seen, encountering new threats sparked by COVID-19, while they simultaneously endure loss of markets and or a slump in prices for their goods.
Given this development, an assessment on the agricultural sector was conducted to appreciate the impact of COVID-19 coupled with the intense dry season.
The findings of this assessment showed that due to the closure of several key hotels, restaurants and street market there has been significant reduction of the volumes of local produce being traded. Sales lost to hotels are approximately 572,593 kgs of locally produced agricultural commodities valuing approximately $3.3 million XCD.
The livestock sector was not spared as we have seen a noted decline in sales of locally produced chicken and pork. Poultry sales decreased from 1489 metric tons at a value of $18.4 million ( January to August 2019) to 1172 metric tons valuing $14.2 million XCD for the same period in 2020. Pork sales also decreased from 189 metric tons at a value of $2.46 million XCD in 2019 to 148 metric tons at a value of 1.9 million XCD for the same period of January to August 2020.
Although the crop farmers suffered a loss of traditional hotel markets and the extended drought brought with in deceases in production of certain crops, the sales to super markets grew from 1972 metric tons at a value of $7.3 million XCD (January to June 2019) to 2022 metric tons at a value of 7.5 million XCD for the same period in 2020.
This being said, it is noted there there is still a long road ahead, but rather than simply doing the bare minimal, the focus is on building a resilient agricultural sector. In keeping with the theme of “Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together” as we celebrate world food day 2020 we remain cognizant of the fact that our role is even more critical.
As we analyze the words of this year’s theme we note that the department fosters the growth of the industry by the initiation of several initiatives including that of the Import Substitution project most commonly known as the 7 crop project, investments in improved technologies and availability of improved genetics stock of animals to name a few. These initiatives serve to support our producers. As investment seeds are sown and growth ensues, the department strategically engages stakeholders to ensure that the development of the sector is continuously nurtured to optimize outputs and returns on investments thus making the sector more competitive. This is done by empowering our human resource, through training opportunities in GAPs, Food Safety and Entrepreneurship. Sustainability is a crucial part of modernized Agricultural Sector. The Department through its ongoing engagement with stakeholders (producers, traders, processors, cooperating regional and international support agencies) advises on policy directions and actively advocates enactment of these polices to ensure that a supportive environment is created for a thriving Agricultural Sector
With the advent of COVID 19 it sustainability of actions and policies is critical for posterity and ensuring that we remain food secure while maintaining livelihoods.
We are also acutely aware of climate impacts and of our high levels of vulnerability. No effort is spared in ensuring that stakeholders are kept informed and that we constantly advocate and support adaptation actions. With a multi-sectorial “One Health” approach we continue to work together with a wide cross section of actors. As we recognize not only that there is strength in unity but also to ensure we remain food and nutrition secure, not only during this pandemic but beyond.