In its quest to improve the availability of data and statistics in the agriculture and fisheries sectors, the Ministry of Agriculture has decided to conduct a new Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF) in 2025.

Seventeen (17) years has passed since the last Agriculture and Fisheries census, which was conducted in 2007. Therefore it is timely and way overdue to embark on the conduct of a new census that will provide data for a better understanding of the current state of agriculture and the structural changes that have occurred in the last decade.  The need for detailed and up to date recent agricultural statistics to assist in the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of policies, programs and projects, training and capacity development, research and marketing among others, cannot be overstated. The census of agriculture and fisheries will capture vital statistics with regards to the changes in the structure and scope of agriculture and fisheries in the country over the past seventeen years. This data is essential for planning, policy development and decision making.

The CAF is an integral part of the assessment of the socio- economic impact of the agriculture and fisheries sectors. It will inform subsequent development interventions to facilitate the continued growth of the agriculture and fisheries sector in Saint Lucia. There will be temporary employment opportunities for persons in various areas such as enumerators, supervisors and other census support staff. The CAF will determine the type of programmes or projects to undertaken in specific areas and will assist in determining the level of assistance which can be given by the Government to various farming and fishing communities. The Census will also give an indication of the intensity of land use and utilization of marine resources so as to ensure more optimal and sustainable use these resources.

The pilot census will be conducted in October, 2024. Full census enumeration will begin in January, 2025. Training for the pilot census will be conducted for four days-October14, 2025 to October 17,2025.