New varieties of eggplant have been introduced to farmers under the Seven Crops Project as part of efforts to address the need for diversification in the market.

The Agriculture Ministry in collaboration with the Taiwan Technical Mission hosted a demonstration of the proper cultivation techniques of eight varieties of eggplant, inclusive of three local varieties and five newly introduced varieties. 

Eggplant is one of the focal crops under the second phase of the Seven Crops Project, of which the overall goal is to reduce Saint Lucia’s reliance on imports. Farmers were given instructions on how to grow eggplant and the possible uses of the varying kinds.

Production Specialist attached to the Seven Crops Project, Eric Chen explains the project’s goal is to focus on a crop that is both in high demand and amenable to cultivation within our region.

“We are having this eggplant varietal trial training today to show the farmers there are different kinds of eggplants that we brought in so that we can increase the diversification in the market. We know that demand is increasing, we are encouraging farmers to plant more eggplant so they can increase their income due to the high demand of the market”

Technical Production Officer for the Seven Crops Project, Edward Wilson, says this interactive approach is geared toward educating the population on the nutritional benefits of the consumption of eggplant to successfully improve food security.

“We’re seeing that the demand for eggplants is increasing, however, the consumption of it locally is something to be worked on. What we notice is that the preparation of eggplant is not so vast by local consumers so we want to show people that different varieties have different characteristics.”

The next phase of the trial is an eggplant expo in Constitution Park on the 27th of September, 2022 where students and Chefs will get an opportunity to present various ways eggplant can be incorporated into our diet.