Saint Lucia’s Minister for Agriculture Convenes High-Level IICA-CATIE Technical Mission to Accelerate Saint Lucia’s Green Revolution

Saint Lucia has taken another bold step toward transforming its agricultural food systems as the Honourable Lisa C. Jawahir, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Sustainable Development, today welcomed a distinguished high-level delegation from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) for a landmark Technical Mission aimed at reshaping the future of agriculture in Saint Lucia.

The week-long mission brings together some of the region’s foremost experts in agricultural policy, institutional development, crop innovation, agricultural research and higher education to work alongside the Ministry of Agriculture in aligning its operations with the Government’s 10-Pillar Policy Green Revolution Agenda for the agricultural sector.

The delegation is led by Dr. Dowlat Budhram, Special Advisor to the Director General of IICA, and includes Dr. Alejandro Solis, Director of Outreach and Strategic Partnerships at CATIE; Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, International Specialist in Crop Production and Innovation; Dr. Rolando Cerda, internationally recognized expert in coffee and cocoa development; together with regional and national technical specialists from IICA, CATIE and Saint Lucia. The mission follows Minister Jawahir’s engagement with IICA Director

General Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim earlier this year, where discussions laid the foundation for this unprecedented collaboration.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Minister Jawahir described the mission as a defining moment in the modernization of Saint Lucia’s agricultural sector.

“This is far more than a technical mission. It is the beginning of a transformational partnership that will strengthen our institutions, modernize our agricultural systems, build the capacity of our people and position Saint Lucia as a regional leader in sustainable agriculture, food security and agricultural investment.”

The Minister noted that the initiative emerged from her participation at the inauguration of IICA’s Director General, where she immediately recognized the immense value of stronger international cooperation.

“When I attended the inauguration of Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, I left convinced that Saint Lucia’s Green Revolution would require more than funding. It would require world-class expertise, strategic partnerships and institutions willing to walk alongside us in delivering meaningful change. Today’s mission is the direct result of that vision becoming reality.”

Throughout the week, the delegation will engage in an intensive programme of strategic planning sessions, technical workshops and island-wide field visits focusing on institutional modernization, agricultural innovation, crop productivity, education and workforce development. The team will also visit research facilities, farms, propagation centres, educational institutions and agricultural enterprises to develop practical recommendations tailored specifically to Saint Lucia’s needs.

The mission is expected to deliver concrete recommendations to strengthen the Ministry’s institutional framework, enhance agricultural productivity, improve extension services, support innovation and build a more resilient, technology-driven agricultural sector aligned with national priorities and CARICOM’s regional food security agenda.

Minister Jawahir emphasized that the Government remains committed to transforming agriculture into a dynamic sector capable of attracting investment, creating employment and reducing Saint Lucia’s dependence on imported food.