Taiwan Technical Mission Hosts Dragon Fruit and Guava Harvesting Day
July 29th, 2026
(RODNEY BAY, GROS ISLET, SAINT LUCIA – Wednesday, July 29, 2026) – As efforts continue to ensure food security in Saint Lucia, the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) remains a key partner in achieving that goal.
On Friday, July 10, 2026, that commitment was evident yet again at the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Saint Lucia hosted its Dragon Fruit and Guava Harvesting Field Day at its Union Demonstration Farm. At the event, stakeholders from many agencies and institutions joined farmers and extension officers for a hands-on demonstration in dragon fruit and guava harvesting.
H.E. Nicole Su, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, spoke at the opening ceremony, praising the farmers’ commitment to embrace new technologies and exploring new opportunities for the sustainable development of Saint Lucia’s agricultural sector. She said dragon fruit and guava are high-value tropical crops that offer excellent opportunities for farmers to diversify production and increase income.
“We are not talking about consumers of our fellow Saint Lucians here only; we are also targeting the growing tourism sector of Saint Lucia,” Ambassador Su explained. “Surely tourists coming from Europe and North America would not be surprised to see apples and grapes, but they would be definitely more interested and attracted to these fresh, high-quality tropical fruits, which actually look exotic to them. Therefore, these fruits present a strong market potential for significant local consumption. If we are ambitious enough, we should also consider regional export of these fruits as well.”
Aside from their economic potential, Ambassador Su said both dragon fruit and guava have significant nutritional benefits, with dragon fruit being rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, while guava is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. She noted that by promoting these nutritious fruits, consumers are supporting not only the livelihoods of farmers, but also healthier communities and greater food security.
Another highlight on the day was the official launch of the Tropical Fruit Seedling Nursery at the Union Demonstration Farm, a smart agriculture initiative that offers a controlled environment to ensure that the seedlings grow into healthy, high-quality dragon fruit and guava. Equipped with an automated irrigation system, the nursery will ensure efficient water management, improve seedling quality, and support sustainable and climate-resilient production practices. The plan is to provide these seedlings free of charge to farmers who successfully complete relevant workshops.
Ambassador Su thanked Hon. Lisa Jawahir and her team at the Ministry of Agriculture for their continued partnership and support. She also thanked Mr. Johnson Yang, Senior Specialist at the Taiwan Technical Mission, and other team members from the Taiwan Technical Mission.
Hon. Lisa Jawahir, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Sustainable Development, said the day’s celebration proved what can be achieved when vision, partnership and hard work converge. She thanked farmers for being the backbone of the nation’s food security, adding that their willingness to embrace innovation is crucial to keeping Saint Lucia’s agricultural sector competitive.
“To the Taiwan Technical Mission team: thank you for investing not only in crops, but also in our people,” Hon. Jawahir said. “You have built upon the skills of our farmers, introduced world-class techniques, and demonstrated that Saint Lucia can produce at international standards. This partnership is really helping us become more competitive in this global marketplace.”
Hon. Jawahir described dragon fruit as the perfect symbol of resilience, as it thrives where many crops struggle, a reminder that with innovation and climate-smart agriculture, challenges can be turned into opportunities.
“That is exactly what our green revolution is about: building a modern, resilient and profitable agricultural sector that empowers our farmers,” she said. “The opening of the nursery is another important milestone as it provides quality dragon fruit and guava seedlings that will allow our farmers to diversify production, increase their yields, and invest in high value tropical crops that are growing in demand.”
Mr. Daniel Lee, Chief of the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Saint Lucia, noted that the event was an example of the continued partnership between the Government of Saint Lucia, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and the Taiwan Technical Mission. Moreover, he said it was also a meaningful opportunity to bring together farmers, public agencies, private sector partners, and development partners to look at practical ways to strengthen local agricultural production.
“We selected dragon fruit and guava because both crops have strong potential for Saint Lucia,” Mr. Lee explained. “They are suitable for local conditions, have good market value, and can provide farmers with additional opportunities for income generation. More importantly, they are crops through which we can demonstrate improved production methods, better seedling management, and stronger climate resilience.”
Mr. Lee said the Taiwan Technical Mission will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to organize training courses and provide technical support to farmers, adding that the Union Demonstration Farm will continue to serve as a place for learning, sharing, and innovation.
Meanwhile, Ms. Tiffany Surage, Supply Chain Manager for Local Produce, Agri., and Cottage – Massy Stores St. Lucia, said dragon fruit has been growing in demand locally. She noted that beyond its vibrant appearance and nutritional benefits, dragon fruit represents an opportunity for farmers to diversify production, increase income, and build resilience in an ever-changing agricultural environment.
“At Massy Stores, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that encourage agricultural diversification, improve productivity, and create new economic opportunities for our farming communities,” Ms. Surage stated. “By working together, we can continue to build a vibrant and competitive agricultural sector that contributes to food and nutrition security, employment, and sustainable rural development.”
Ms. Surage added that Massy Stores understands the importance of creating reliable market opportunities for local producers, and will continue working with farmers and agricultural organizations to strengthen product availability, improve product quality, and connect consumers with fresh, nutritious, locally-grown products.
“When our farmers succeed, our communities benefit, and our country becomes stronger and more resilient,” she said.
Ms. Surage also highlighted the Taiwan Technical Mission’s unwavering and dedicated efforts that have contributed to the successful development of dragon fruit in Saint Lucia, noting that the TTM’s commitment to innovation and excellence serves as an inspiration to others within the sector.
Other highlights on the day included Mr. Johnson Yang, Senior Specialist at the Taiwan Technical Mission, sharing his vast expertise on harvesting techniques and best practices with the attendees, including how to improve quality, reduce post-harvest losses, extend shelf life, and enhance the market value of dragon fruit and guava. Mr. Davis Poleon, Landfill Supervisor at the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority (SLSWMA), facilitated a technical presentation on the benefits and best practices involved in wood chip mulching. Following a tasting session where attendees sampled slices of fresh, tasty dragon fruit and guavas harvested from the farm, the new Tropical Fruit Seedling Nursery was officially unveiled.