Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Alfred Prospere, highlighted the need for farmers in Saint Lucia to adopt alternative strategies to combat crop diseases and mitigate the effects of toxic chemicals. During a media briefing, Prospere expressed concerns over the impact of Black Sigatoka Disease on banana production. This disease, prevalent in the rainy season, poses a threat to banana and plantain farmers, and reliance on 'oil products' alone is deemed inadequate.
Prospere stressed the importance of comprehensive farm management, including proper drainage, crop trimming, and timely fertilization, to cultivate disease resistance. He shared an observation from a farmer's plot showing no signs of Black Sigatoka but noted that nearby plantations could still pose a risk due to the disease's spread.
The minister suggested deploying drones for better management, as timely spraying is often missed by individual farmers. He advocated for a national approach to disease management, with government intervention to manage plantation diseases and reduce costs through enhanced technology.
Addressing the current state of the banana sector, Prospere mentioned the financial hardships faced by farmers due to Black Sigatoka, with harvesting disruptions since last November. Shipping delays led to oil product shortages, but the Department of Agriculture secured 1,500 gallons of oil from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and 76,000 gallons sponsored by the World Bank's Food Security Programme, distributing them free to farmers.
Relief measures were announced by the Prime Minister for 405 banana growers, with payments expected by March. Prospere acknowledged the losses faced by farmers and emphasized the need for government assistance, including fertilizers, labor, and financial aid.
Farmers received 39,000 bags of fertilizer, 32,000 bags of lime, and support from 115 farm labor workers. Greenhouse aid and on-farm drainage were also provided. The government is procuring 30,000 additional bags of fertilizer from Venezuela.
Prospere highlighted the importance of reducing the food import bill and supporting farmers to lower production costs. The St. Lucia Marketing Board secured a loan of approximately USD 555,000, enabling quicker payments to farmers. Prospere encouraged farmers to seize new market opportunities and maintain confidence in the agricultural sector.
Source: The Voice