The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development recently hosted a team from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), as part of the monitoring and evaluating mission for the Building Resilience for Adaptation to Climate Change Variability in Agriculture in Saint Lucia Project (BRACCCVAS).
During the June visit, the CDB delegation undertook site visits and got involved in meetings with key stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the project’s progress.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Barrymore Felicien stated that the ongoing activities were designed to highlight the existing implementation challenges and chart a path forward for the sustainable development of agriculture in Saint Lucia.
“The project components include looking at areas of adaptation measures, such as rainwater conservation irrigation and slope stabilization. We are also focusing on agro parks to enhance livelihoods, particularly in rural communities,” noted Felicien.
Felicien added that, “The regions of Babonneau to Gros Islet (regions 1 and 2) and Soufriere to the Roseau area (regions 6 and 7) are the primary areas of interest for building climate resilience, increasing food security, improving productivity, and enhancing livelihoods.”
Agriculture Minister Alfred Prospere engaged in discussions on ways to strengthen cooperation necessary for the successful implementation of the proposed Climate Change Adaptation Project.
Said Prospere: “Since 2018 there was a proposal for a climate adaptation project for the agricultural sector. It includes several capacity-building initiatives; training for the farmers, climate-smart agriculture, and a number of support areas to boost the agricultural sector, and based on my discussion with my colleagues for the CDB, they were very happy with where Saint Lucia was at this time”.
He added, “I would like to have seen a lot more happen because this project has been delayed, and I really hope that we can move quickly to implement all of our activities under that project, which will be beneficial to all the farmers and stakeholders in the sector.”
According to a spokesperson, the joint initiative demonstrates the CDB’s commitment to enhancing Saint Lucia’s agricultural landscape through collaboration and shared vision.