Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Alfred Prospere has announced ambitious plans to significantly boost cassava cultivation on the island, actively seeking support from an overseas agency to facilitate this essential development.
The Minister underscored the critical role of cassava in agro-processing, highlighting its potential for producing staple food items such as cassava flour, cassava bread, and a variety of other products. He reaffirmed that this crop is crucial for enhancing food security on the island.
However, he pointed out that cassava thrives only in specific “live zones,” typically found in dry and semi-dry areas, including Oleon, Des Barras, Dennery, Choiseul, and similar locations.
“Recently, my Permanent Secretary and I had discussions with an investor from Africa about launching a large-scale cassava programme in Saint Lucia,” Minister Prospere stated during a recent media briefing.
He confirmed that the investor is committed to supplying planting materials and providing technical support from Africa. “We are determined to include this initiative in the upcoming 2025-26 Budget, where we will advocate for increased funding to involve more people in agriculture,” the minister added.
Highlighting existing planting facilities at Babonneau and Desruisseaux, the minister asserted, “Cassava has immense potential to drive significant investments and create economic opportunities for our farmers. We are ready to take decisive action in this direction.”
Three years ago, in 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture collaborated with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Caribbean, the Saint Lucia Marketing Board, and other stakeholders to host a highly impactful Roots and Tubers Symposium during Business Month, themed “Agriculture is my Business.”
This symposium united key national and international players to vigorously promote the enhancement of tropical root crop production and utilization.
Farmers in Saint Lucia traditionally grow tropical root crops like cassava, yams, dasheen, and sweet potatoes, had the opportunity to directly meet the representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, WUSC Caribbean, the Saint Lucia Marketing Board, and other relevant agencies, fostering a powerful exchange of knowledge to transform global agri-food systems.
The symposium identified critical challenges, including the decline in root crop production, land availability, and access to essential inputs.
A representative from WUSC’s Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project emphasized the vital importance of root crops for the region’s food supply, advocating for projects that explore innovative solutions to bolster production and further strengthen Saint Lucia’s food security.
A local agricultural official highlighted that root crops offer a timely response to climate change, as they are resilient to adverse weather conditions when established properly. He also reiterated the significance of tropical roots and tuber crops in fulfilling global food security demands, enhancing staple foods, and unlocking new opportunities within Saint Lucia’s food supply.
Cassava is a widely cultivated crop found in many countries, including Nigeria, Brazil, and Thailand. This root crop is used both as food and for making starch.
Here are some production statistics:
– In 2018, the world produced 278 million metric tons of cassava.
– Africa accounted for about 61% of the global cassava production in 2018.
– Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world.
– Thailand is the leading exporter of dried cassava.
R.A.