TTM Farmer Training Graduation 2025

The Ministry of Agriculture pushes forward with agri-sector transformation, certifying another twenty-two (22) farmers under the Taiwan-backed Seven Crops Project to boost food security and tech-driven farming. 

Another major stride was made in the development of Saint Lucia’s agriculture sector as twenty-two (22) farmers graduated from an intensive five-week training program hosted by the Taiwan Technical Mission. The undertaking, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development, falls under the second phase the Seven Crops Project.

The graduation ceremony marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to strengthen food security and reduce Saint Lucia’s dependency on imported produce. The training program offered participating farmers a wide-ranging curriculum that included Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), pesticide safety, cultivation management, post-harvest techniques, organic farming, marketing, and smart agriculture.

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Randal Esnard, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to building capacity across the agriculture value chain with the aim of improving productivity and reducing the food import bill of Saint Lucia.

“So from the ministry of agriculture , one of the things that we are seeking to do is to build the capacity of our stakeholders, build the capacity of our farmers, work with buyers such as Massy, the marketing board, the hotels to ensure that we are able to feed ourselves. We should not depend on foreign sources, such as the United States, Canada, Mexico for our foods. This is one of the reasons why this capacity building program is really important. The Chair person said, it is not just what you learn in the five weeks, it is your ability to implement it.” 

This year, a new and forward-looking subject area was added to the syllabus: AI Agriculture. The topic was well received by participants, signaling a growing interest in the integration of technology and innovation within the local farming community.

Chief of the Taiwan Technical Mission in Saint Lucia, Daniel Lee, emphasized the need to advance towards the modernization of the agricultural sector by introducing modern technology-enabled farming.

“This year we were especially pleased to introduce a new concept, AI in agricultural, which reflects the shared vision between St. Lucia and (Taiwan) in advancing towards modern technology enable farming. What was impressive was not only your attendance but your enthusiasm to learn. Many of you stay beyond class hours asking questions and in engaging in meaningful discussions, the spirit of curiosity and dedication is what will drive the future of Agriculture in your community and across Saint Lucia ” 

The Agriculture Ministry’s  collaboration with the Taiwan Technical Mission continues to bear fruit, as both parties work hand-in-hand to enhance production efficiency and transform Saint Lucia’s agricultural landscape.

This latest cohort of the Farmers Training Certification Program adds to the growing number of trained, certified farmers who are now better positioned to contribute to national food security and economic resilience.