The recent installation of a Compost Processing Shed by the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) at the Deglos Sanitary Landfill is being hailed as a significant step in sustainable agriculture and waste management practices. The unveiling ceremony of the Compost Processing Shed was held on Friday, October 4, 2024.
Aside from the compost processing shed, the Taiwan Technical Mission also donated 2,000 bags for packing the finished compost, 2,000 labels, and a cordless bag stitching machine.
Remarking on the project, H.E. Peter Chia-Yen Chen, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, underscored the importance of composting, referring to the practice as one of the simplest yet powerful actions people can take to reduce waste, restore the health of soils, and help mitigate climate change.
“This covered facility will allow us to divert organic waste from landfills, offer a dedicated space to store agricultural residues, and enhance the efficiency of producing compost by mitigating the unpredictable effect from rainfall or weather,” said Ambassador Chen at the unveiling ceremony. “By optimizing the composting process operation and management, we contribute to a more sustainable farming practice.”
Ambassador Chen praised all stakeholders involved in the project, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority – Deglos Sanitary Landfill, and local communities. He also expressed gratitude to the unwavering support rendered by Hon. Minister Shawn Edward, Hon. Minister Alfred Prospere and all participating parties.
“The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) will continue to work with the Government of Saint Lucia to support agricultural advancement, sustainable development, and environmental stewardship,” Ambassador Chen stated.
Hon. Shawn Edward, Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, thanked the Government of Taiwan for making the project a reality. He also endorsed the project, noting that everyone has a responsibility to care for the planet.
“As we speak, the conversation is happening in every corner of the globe – we’re talking about the triple planetary crisis,” Hon. Edward shared. “This is where we’re looking at biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. The three are interconnected, and together, they pose an existential threat to countries big and small. But the science has also said to us that we are even more vulnerable than some of the larger countries of the world. So anything we can do — even if it appears to be negligible in our eyes — to enhance the health of the planet, we ought to do.”
Hon. Edward said he was pleased that the facility is producing organic fertilizers that can be used instead of synthetic fertilizers. He said he hoped that in the future Saint Lucia’s food production can be 100% dependent on the use of composting material.
“There is always more benefit to be derived when you go natural and use the compost and all the other materials that the natural environment provides to us for food production,” Hon. Edward said.
Hon. Alfred Prospere, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, thanked the Government of Taiwan for its unwavering support to Saint Lucia’s development, including in agriculture. He said the Deglos Sanitary Landfill is a crucial part of Saint Lucia’s waste management system, and that steps have been taken over the years to introduce recycling practices.
“While these initiatives have seen some success, the need for a dedicated facility to cure compost piles, store finished compost material, and manage the sales and promotion of these products became increasingly evident,” said Hon. Prospere. “Today, we’re thankful for the construction of this shed, and are now equipped to take these activities to the next level.”
Hon. Prospere said the new composting shed symbolizes the Government’s focus in meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), particularly SDG 12, which calls for responsible consumption and production, and SDG 13, which encourages urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
“Through this initiative, we are helping to address key environmental challenges by reducing the volume of organic waste going into our landfill,” Hon. Prospere added. “As a result, we are not only decreasing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, but also expanding the lifespan of the landfill itself. This is a step forward in promoting a circular economy, where resources are used and returned to the soil as compost, contributing to healthier and more fertile agricultural land.”
Initially, Hon. Prospere said, farmers can purchase a 50-lb. bag of the high quality compost which costs $20.00 per bag at a subsidized price of $10.00.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Joanna Arthurton, General Manager of the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority, said the composting shed represents a major shift in waste management practices.
“This initiative is a significant step towards building a more sustainable and eco-conscious Saint Lucian community,” said Arthurton. “While the shed may be perceived as just a small structure, it represents something much larger, that is, our collective commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible waste management.”
She added: “Composting is not just a way to manage organic waste, but also a way to give back to the Earth to nourish the soil and to reduce our environmental footprint. This facility will provide the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority and communities with the means with not just to turn waste into a resource, but to also foster healthy gardens contribute to the greener and cleaner environment for future generations.”
The compost processing shed forms part of Taiwan’s assistance to Saint Lucia under the “Enhancement of the Efficiency of Production-Distribution Supply Chains in the Fruit and Vegetable Sector”, commonly known as the “Seven Crops Project”.
Also present at last Friday’s unveiling ceremony were Mr. Greg Rawlins, Representative in the Eastern Caribbean States for the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA); Mr. Daniel Lee, Chief of the Taiwan Technical Mission; Mrs. Annita Montoute, Permanent Secretary, Department of Sustainable Development; Mr. Brent Theophile, National Technical Specialist, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA); Mr. Davis Poleon, Landfill Supervisor, Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority; and other invited guests.
SOURCE: Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Saint Lucia