Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
IICA‘s CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN SAINT LUCIA
IICA OFFICE IN SAINT LUCIA JANUARY 2006
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
IICA‘s VISION
—To transform IICA into a development organization that promotes sustainable agricultural development, food security and prosperity in the rural communities of the Americas.“
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
IICA‘s MISSION
—To support the Member States in their pursuit of progress and prosperity in the hemisphere through the modernization of the rural sector, the promotion of food security, and the development of an agricultural sector that is competitive, technologically prepared, environmentally managed, and socially equitable for all the peoples of the Americas.“
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
SAINT LUCIA AGRICULTURE POLICY
The Vision:
—To sustain a diversified national agricultural income base and enhance the integrity of rural livelihood system; by generating the capacity for efficiency and the competitive production and marketing of agricultural goods and services.“
Source: Repositioning St Lucia Agriculture through Policy Development and Implementation
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
i
Table of Contents Page FOREWARD ………………………………………………………………………………………………. ii
ACRONYMS ………………………………………………………………………………..…………….. iii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY …………………………………………………………..…………………… iv
1. INTRODUCTION…………..………………………………………..………………………… 1
2. THE STATE OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL LIFE IN SAINT LUCIA IN 2005 2
2.1 Recent Performance in the Expanded Agriculture Sector ……….…… 2
2.2 Critical Issues in the international and National Context that Impact Agriculture and Rural Life .…………………………….………….... 5
2.3 The Status of Living Conditions in Rural Communities in Saint Lucia in 2005…………………………….…………………………………………………..… 7
3. SUMMARY OF NATIONAL AGENDA ………………..…………………………………... 7
4. RESULTS OF TECHNICAL COOPERATION ………………………………………….... 9 4.1 Facilitating Competitiveness and Global Trade …………..………………. 9 4.2 Promoting Agricultural Health and Food Safety …………..……………… 12 4.3 Strengthening Rural Communities …………………………………………….. 14 4.4 Hemispheric Integration …………………………………………………………… 15 4.5 Developing Human Capital ……………………………………………………….. 16 4.6 Environmental Management ……………………………………………………… 17 4.7 Institutional Modernisation ………………………………………………………… 18
5. INTER-AGENCY COOPERATION ……………………………………………………………. 18
6. SUPPORT PROVIDED IN DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL PLANS AND STRATEGIES …………………………………………………………………………………...… 19
7. OTHER ACTIVITIES ……………………………………………………………………….…... 21 7.1 The IICA Awards ………………………………………………………………..…… 21 7.2 Meeting of ECS Staff ……………………………….………………………………. 22
8. FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COOPERATION …………………………….………. 23
9. APPENDICES……………………………………………………………………………….…….. 24 9.1 Organisational Chart œ IICA Office in Saint Lucia ……………………….. 24 9.2 Five Most Important Events Organised by the IICA Office in Saint Lucia ………………………………………………………………………….. 25
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
i i
Foreward
The IICA Office in Saint Lucia is pleased to present this report as a record of its contribution to the development of agriculture and rural communities in Saint Lucia during the year 2005.
In presenting this report we wish to recognize the efforts and contributions of our former representative Dr. Lyle Barbara Graham who served the Representation with distinction for the past 8 years. We wish to underscore the efforts of the Minister and his staff in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and all the stakeholders in the community of agriculture and rural life who collaborated and cooperated so willingly with us in the execution of our programme of work and the achievements herein reported.
As the Institute positions itself to continue serving its member states throughout the hemisphere, the Office in Saint Lucia is repositioning itself to continue its service to the community in Saint Lucia.
I wish to take the opportunity to wholeheartedly thank the staff in the Office in Saint Lucia for their contributions to the seamless execution of the transition process which contributed tremendously to achievements of the office in 2005.
……………………………………….. UNA MAY GORDON IICA REPRESENTATIVE IN SAINT LUCIA AND THE ECS
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
ii i
List of Acronyms
ACP African Caribbean Pacific AHFS Agricultural Health and Food Safety APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Unit BPTDC Banana Pest and Disease Technical Committee CAFY Caribbean Agricultural Forum for Youth CARAPA Caribbean Association of Research and Herbal Practitioners CARDI Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute CDB Caribbean Development Bank CDE Centre for Development and Enterprise CFNI Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute CGPC Coordinating Group of Pesticides Control Boards of the Caribbean CHA Caribbean Hotel Association CHBA Caribbean Herbal Business Association CIRAD International Centre for Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development CRISP Caribbean Regional Intern Scholarship Programme CSME Caribbean Single Market and Economy CTA Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation CWA Caribbean Week of Agriculture CWC Cricket World Cup ECS Eastern Caribbean States EU European Union FAO Food and Agricultural Organisation GDP Gross Domestic Product GEF/SGP Global Environment Facility/Small Grant Project GRICA Group for the Implementation and Coordination of the Agreements on Agriculture and Rural Life of the Summit Process IABA Inter American Board on Agriculture IICA Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture MFN Most Favoured Nations MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries MoST Ministry of Social Transformation MOU Memorandum of Understanding NAHFS National Agricultural Health and Food Safety NAHFSC National Agricultural Health and Food Safety Committee NAHFSS National Agricultural Health and Food Safety and Standards OECS Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States PCB Pesticides Control Board PCBs Pesticides Control Boards RTP Regional Transformation Programme SLMB Saint Lucia Marketing Board SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary SRI Sandals Resort International UNDP United Nations Development Programme USDA United States Department of Agriculture WIBDECO Windward Islands Banana Development Company WTO World Trade Organisation
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
iv
Executive Summary
Introduction The IICA Office in Saint Lucia is the Management Unit responsible for the Institute‘s collective action to its Members in the Eastern Caribbean States (ECS). During 2005 the activities of the Office in Saint Lucia were executed against a fundamental administrative transition process; that of changing from the Representative of the past eight years to a new Representative. Notwithstanding the process of transition, credible results have been recorded and the Office with some flexibility implemented its agreed National Technical Cooperation Agenda.
The results obtained in 2005 must be viewed in line with the wider regional initiative being undertaken to reposition the agricultural sector and promote prosperity in the rural communities of Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean.
The State of Agriculture and Rural Life in Saint Lucia
Recent performance in the expanded agricultural sector The economic performance of Saint Lucia in the recent past (2001-2005) may be characterized as good and gaining momentum, with real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rising to 4.04% in 2004 from a negative rate of 4.05% in 2001.
However, during the same period 2001-2005, there was real negative growth of the agricultural sector in every year, with the exception of 2004 when value added by the sector to the Saint Lucian economy expanded by 5.08%. The good performance achieved by the sector in 2004 was the result of a 17.69% expansion in value added by the banana sub-sector which accounted for 47.3% of total value added in the agricultural sector. The cultivation of non-traditional crops which contributed 24.4% to value added, experienced a decline of 2.4%, fisheries grew marginally by 0.3%, but the livestock sub-sector contracted by 14.2%. Banana exported in the first 6 months of 2005 reported 35.5 % contraction of tonnage compared to a similar period in 2004.
Critical Issues in the International and national context that impact agriculture and rural life Economic growth was projected to reach 5.95% in 2005 based on actual data as at September 2005 and historical patterns. This economic growth is expected to accelerate further in the run-up to the Cricket World Cup (CWC) in 2007, based on projected increases in public and private investment. Despite this buoyant outlook, the Saint Lucian economy remains highly vulnerable to declining European Union (EU) banana preferential treatments, oil price shocks, and high exposure to natural disasters such as floods, droughts and hurricanes.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
v
Access to credit by the agricultural sector for investment and working capital continues to be a major national issue, with financing to the sector in 2003 accounting for only 2.0% of commercial bank credit. During 2004, the credit crunch continued as there was a 3.1% contraction in credit issued by the commercial banks to EC$33.4 million. Indications are that the contractions in credit to the sector continued into 2005.
The status of living conditions in rural communities In 2005 assessing the status of living conditions in the rural milieu in Saint Lucia remained very complex. The Government rationalizes strategies to enable them to prevent the continued erosion of the social fabric and social peace in the economy and communities become engaged in the planning and implementation of programmes and projects. This dynamism in the community is being driven by an innate instinct to survive as the loss of employment and income and stability resulting from the decline in the banana trade becomes more evident.
Summary of National Agenda
The Agenda for Saint Lucia was implemented through agreed goals, priorities, and strategic actions that were in line with IICA‘s main strategic and support areas. The priorities were defined within the context of the stated policy objectives, the agriculture diversification strategy, and available national resources. In this regard the priorities also reflected the competencies within IICA.
Strategic areas of Support areas of focus in 2005 focus in 2005 (a) Policy and Trade Integration (a) Technology an Innovation (b) Agribusiness Development (b) Education and Training (c) Sustainable Rural Development (c) Horizontal Technical Cooperation (d) Food Safety and Agricultural Health (d) Institutional Modernization and Strengthening
Results of Technical Cooperation for 2005
Facilitating Competitiveness and Global Trade The repositioning of the banana industry remained the single most important challenge to the sector in Saint Lucia in 2005. Consequently, the development of economic diversification initiatives within and outside the banana industry has taken on new significance. It was recognized early that the future of the traditional banana industry hinged on the outcome of the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling and these uncertainties forced serious and continued dialogue on the future of the industry in Saint Lucia. In this regard, the Office continued to support the dialogue for diversification and increased competitiveness within the industry. It
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
v i presented a position paper on —The Expansion of St. Lucia‘s Regional Trade in Bananas“ to a national stakeholders meeting convened by the Ministry of Agriculture to examine options for repositioning the industry.
The herbal industry, which has been identified by the agriculture stakeholders as one offering possibilities for increased opportunities for the sector was assisted in its ongoing development with the convening in June, of the joint Caribbean Herbal Business Association/Caribbean Association of Researchers and Herbal Practitioners (CHBA/CARAPA) International Conference entitled —Advancing Caribbean Herbs in the 21st Century“.
Promoting Food Safety and Agriculture Health The goal to strengthen national Agricultural Health and Food Safety Systems to support the country‘s efforts to satisfy trade requirements as well as to increase production remain the central focus of IICA‘s action in Saint Lucia and framed the assistance provided to the national authorities in 2005.
The Cabinet conclusion providing the authority for the establishment of a National Agricultural Health and Food Safety and Standards (NAHFSS) Committee to coordinate operations of agricultural health and food safety in the country was received and the Committee established.
Strengthening Rural Communities In 2005, the impact of the effects of the declining agricultural productivity on the livelihood in rural communities in Saint Lucia was further compounded by the incidences of natural disasters mainly hurricanes and floods. Discussions were held with the Ministry of Social Transformation (MoST) to effect joint programming to ensure the success of rural development initiatives. An agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation is being drafted and should be signed between IICA and the MoST in 2006.
Further action was also taken towards the elaboration of a comprehensive strategy for linking agriculture and tourism in Saint Lucia and the OECS.
Hemispheric Integration The Office continued to advance the Institute‘s effort to fulfill its mandate to the Summit of the Americas process. In this regard technical, financial and logistic support was provided to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the OECS Secretariat to enhance their understanding of the Agro 2003-2015 Plan for Agriculture and Rural Life of the Americas and the Jagdeo Initiative of the Caribbean Community. In addition, their participation in the regional and hemispheric dialogue and discussions was facilitated.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
vi i
Developing Human Capital Recognizing that the engine of development and transformation lies within the human resource base of the country, the engagement and development of youth in agriculture remained a central focus of the operations of the Office in 2005. The Office collaborated with the Executive Secretariat of the Caribbean Agriculture Forum for Youth (CAFY) to host a regional workshop on —Priority Setting, Organizational Development and Introduction to Project Development and Management“ for members of the Forum. Participants were drawn from the ten countries with established CAFY Chapters.
Environmental Management Throughout 2005, the Office continued to give support to the work of the national Biodiversity Committee and to the development of the National Bio-safety Framework for Saint Lucia. Discussions were also initiated with the national focal point on climate change. These culminated in the co-hosting of a seminar on —Climate Change and Food Production“ in which the Institute‘s views and position were clearly articulated.
Institutional Modernization The Office in Saint Lucia, through the support from the Regional Projects Specialist supported the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in undertaking a diagnostic evaluation and subsequent development of a strategic plan of action for the restructuring of the St Lucia Marketing Board (SLMB).
Support Provided in the Development of National Plans and Strategies In 2005, the Office in Saint Lucia also continued to support the development of the OECS Agriculture Strategy with the elaboration of project profiles and plans to satisfy the four areas of focus placed within the purview of the institute. These included among others the elaboration of a Draft Strategy for Linking Agriculture and Tourism for the Eastern Caribbean States.
Future Opportunities for Cooperation The Chamber of Agriculture in St Lucia was launched in late October and has begun advancing efforts towards the development of an Action Plan for Agriculture. The Institute‘s assistance has been actively pursued in this regard and it is expected that full cooperation in the implementation of the Plan will follow.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
1
Introduction
The IICA Office in Saint Lucia is the Management Unit responsible for the Institute‘s collective action to its Members in the Eastern Caribbean States (ECS). During 2005 the activities of the Office in Saint Lucia were executed against a fundamental administrative transition process; that of changing from the Representative of the past eight years to a new Representative. Notwithstanding the process of transition, credible results have been recorded and the Office with some flexibility implemented its agreed National Technical Cooperation Agenda.
The results obtained in 2005 must be viewed in line with the wider regional initiative being undertaken to reposition the agriculture sector and promote prosperity in the rural communities of Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean.
In 2005 the national agenda in Saint Lucia was implemented against a background in which increasingly the country comes to grips with the much vaunted processes of globalization and trade liberalization and their resultant effect of the loss of preferential market for its primary export commodity œ bananas. This scenario was compounded with deteriorating weather conditions and the gradual opening up of the domestic market as a result of the impending entry into force of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) in January 2006.
A mid year (2005) review indicated that the overall performance of the sector continue to be at variance with the performance of the wider economy but despite these and other challenges agriculture in Saint Lucia continues to play a dominant role in the socio-economic development of the country.
As we look to the future an all-encompassing emphasis on participation of the rural communities will enhance the effectiveness of IICA‘s work and role in Saint Lucia. The continued targeting of attention to more vulnerable groups which include women and youth we believe, will increase productivity and enhance economic and social well-being.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
2
2. The State of Agriculture and Rural Life in Saint Lucia in 2005
2.1 Recent Performance in the Expanded Agricultural Sector
The economic performance of Saint Lucia in the recent past (2001-2005) may be characterized as good and gaining momentum, with real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rising to 4.04% in 2004 from negative rate of 4.05% in 2001. (Figure 3.1)
10 5 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Year (p)
N atio nal Eco no my Overall A gricultural Secto r
Figure 3.1: National Economy and Agricultural Sector Gross Domestic Product GDP) Growth Rate in Constant Prices (1990)
Growth has been largely driven by buoyancy in the tourism and related transport and construction sectors. Economic growth is projected to reach 5.95% in 2005 based on actual data as at September 2005 and historical patterns. This economic growth is expected to accelerate further in the run-up to the Cricket World Cup (CWC) in 2007, based on projected increases in public and private investment. Despite this buoyant outlook, the Saint Lucian economy remains highly vulnerable to declining European Union (EU) banana preferential treatments, oil price shocks, and high exposure to national disasters such as floods, droughts and hurricanes.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
3
In the last two (2) decades, significant structural changes have taken place within the Saint Lucian economy, with substantial shift away from tradable goods to non- tradable goods (Table 3.1). The contributions of both agriculture and manufacturing to total output declined with the decrease in agriculture being highly significant.
Table 3.1: Economic Structure of Saint Lucia (% ) Year Value Added by Sector 1985 1995 2000 2003 2005 Tradable Good Sector: • Agriculture 22.9 18.7 14.1 10.7 9.3 • Mining and quarrying 14.3 11.2 7.7 4.4 3.4 • Manufacturing 8.1 7.0 5.9 5.8 5.5
Non Tradable Good Sector 77.1 81.3 85.9 89.3 90.7
During the period 2001-2005, there was real negative growth of the agricultural sector in every year, with the exception of 2004 when value added by the sector to the Saint Lucian economy expanded by 5.08%. The good performance achieved by the sector in 2004 was the result of a 17.69% expansion in value added by the banana sub-sector which accounted for 47.3% of total value added in the agricultural sector. The cultivation of non-traditional crops which contributed 24.4% to value added, experienced a decline of 2.4%, fisheries grew marginally by 0.3%, but the livestock sub-sector contracted by 14.2% (Figure 3.2).
60
40
20
0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 -20 (p) -40
-60
Bananas Other Crops Livestock Fishing Forestry
Figure 3.2: Agricultural sub-sector GDP Growth Rate in Constant Prices (1990)
Value added in the agricultural sector is projected to decline by 13.90%. This projection is based on a decline of 35.3% in banana value added for the period
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
4
January to September 2003, as a result of uncertainty in the industry as well as the legacy effect from the passage of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 and the glancing effects of Hurricane Emily as it passed close to Saint Lucia in July 2005.
Declines in value added were also projected for non-traditional crops, fishing and forestry, but the livestock data available indicated a recovery in value added for this sub-sector of 15.0% due mainly to increased output in the poultry industry. Latest actual data available (January to September 2005) shows that banana output fell by 36.4% in value, to 21,072 tonnes, with revenues falling by 31.7% to EC$28.8 million. Non-traditional exports for the same January œ September 2005 period fell 3.8% in volume to 1,575 tonnes, but poor prices led to a 16.7% reduction in revenue to $1.89 million.
The relative contribution of the various sub-sector to agricultural value added for the period 2001 to 2005 is presented in Figure 3.3. Banana exported in the first six month of 2005 reported 35.5% contraction of tonnage compared to a similar period in 2004. This translated to a contraction in revenue of 31% or $20.4 million. By contrast exports of non-traditional crops purchased rose by 13.1% to $1079.5 tonnes during the first half of the year.
6
5
4 Agr i cult ur al GDP
% 3 Bananas GDP Ot he r Cr ops GDP 2 Li vest oc k GDP Fi shi ng GDP 1 For est r y GDP
0 2 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 3 2 0 0 4 2 0 0 5( p) Year
Figure 3.3: Agricultural GDP as % of Total GDP By Sub-sector
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
5
2.2 Critical Issues in the National and International Context that Impact Agriculture and Rural Life
Despite its declining contribution to economic value added, the agricultural sector continues to play a critical role in the country‘s economic development through its contribution to foreign exchange earnings/savings and employment. Although contributing only 4.4% to GDP in 2003, the agricultural sector accounted for approximately 15% of employment in the economy in that year. Data available indicate that employment in the sector, largely on account of the resurgence in the banana industry, grew by 12% to average of 9,240 persons in 2004. No data are available to date on employment in sector for 2005.
In 2005, banana production continued to suffer from heavy infestations of leaf spot, this aided by high rainfall and poor spraying mechanism, resulted in a loss of exports of 10,610.32 tons. In 2005, 30,006.48 tons were exported compared to 40,616.78 tons in 2004.
Access to credit by the agricultural sector for investment and working capital continues to be a major national issue, with financing to sector in 2003 accounting for only 2.0% of commercial bank credit. During 2004, the credit crunch continued as there was a 3.1% contraction in credit issued by the commercial banks to EC$33.4 million. Indications are that the contractions in credit to the sector continued into 2005.
Chronic vulnerability of Saint Lucia to drought and tropical storms/hurricanes has also plagued the agricultural sector. The passage of hurricanes Ivan in September 2004 and Emily in July 2005 near Saint Lucia reaffirms the importance of contingency planning and the bolstering of risks mitigation and disaster management strategies and plans. Tremendous progress has been made by Saint Lucia in its disaster mitigation and Banana plants destroyed by hurricane winds preparedness programme.
Competitive pricing pressures in key European markets, especially the United Kingdom continued to undermine the banana industry‘s profitability. On November 29th, the European Union announced a new import tariff of 176 euros per tonne, in respect of its tariff only regime, to apply from January 1, 2006 to bananas imported mainly from Latin American or Most Favoured Nations (MFN) suppliers. The new
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
6 import regime will also include a duty free annual import quota of 775,000 tonnes for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) bananas, also to apply from January 1, 2006.
Saint Lucia has recognized the significant challenges facing the country arising from this declining European Union Preferential market for bananas and has initiated actions to develop and implement effective and efficient response strategies. While agriculture remains an important source of jobs and export revenues, the government has, by necessity, moved towards diversification of the economy as the banana sector may not be a major source of dynamic growth in the future. Workers inspecting banana plant
At the national level, the major efforts are manifested in the intensification of efforts in the following areas:
a) The development and implementation of social safety nets to reduce the impact on dislocated workers and farmers;
b) The development and implementation of an improved regime of agricultural incentives conducive for private sector development, including reducing the cost of capital and raising labour productivity;
c) The strengthening of domestic linkages of the agricultural sector to tourism and the promotion of diversification;
d) The application of modern production technology in the main traditional export crops (banana and to the lesser extent, cocoa) as well as the stronger focus on regional and extra regional markets for both traditional and non- traditional exports; and
e) The development of a more business-like diversified and market led approach to the management of farm and agribusiness.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
7
2.3 The Status of Living Conditions in Rural Communities in Saint Lucia in 2005
In 2005 assessing the status of living conditions in the rural milieu in Saint Lucia remained very complex as the government rationalizes strategies to enable them to prevent the continued erosion of the social fabric and social peace in the economy. Communities are also becoming engaged in the planning and implementation of programmes and projects to ensure their survival and sustainability. This dynamism is being driven by an innate instinct to survive as the loss of employment and income and stability result from the decline in the banana trade.
Notwithstanding the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the private sector partners have initiated a number of programmes in an effort to enhance the enabling environment, provide incentives and advance development and growth within the agriculture and rural milieu.
It is the expectation that in the near term integrated community driven development would be pursued as an important platform for enhancing rural livelihood and increasing social capital. The poverty assessment and evaluation which has been commissioned by the Government should give as accurate an account of the impact of the sector‘s decline on the living conditions in the rural milieu
3. Summary of National Agenda
The National Agenda for 2005 was elaborated from the framework agenda prepared in 2002 upon request from the Director General. This agenda outlined the strategic areas to be pursued by the Government of Saint Lucia and IICA over the period 2002-2006. The IICA National Agenda is therefore not the national program for agriculture but the contributions to the broader country program where IICA participated and partner the Government and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector. The latter included other technical and development agencies with common goals and guiding principles for the development of agriculture and rural life.
The Agenda was developmental in its objectives and as such challenged IICA to share in the task of reinforcing and reorienting as necessary the measures required to reposition the sector. Sustainability, competitiveness and economic transformation in agriculture dependent communities, were the tenets on which the Agenda was developed and implemented.
The major issues, which shaped considerations for the national agenda in 2002 and which remained current in 2005, were those emerging from the following developments:
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
8
(a) The dramatic changes in the agriculture sector as a result of increasing liberalisation in world markets for bananas;
(b) The impact of the World Trade Centre tragedy on tourism arrivals in Saint Lucia, especially in light of (a) above;
(c) The fall in standards of living in the farming communities in particular the banana belts;
(d) The sustainability of the encouraging performance of non-banana crops in the export markets as well as the domestic markets;
(e) The capacities required within the sector (policymakers and agri-business) to take advantages of the challenges and opportunities created by liberalization, including improved educational levels of the agricultural labour force;
(f) The implications of the Single Market and Economy for the smaller economies such as Saint Lucia and the other OECS member states;
(g) The declining trend in prices on primary commodities in world markets;
(h) The potential impact of trade liberalization on domestic and import destination markets for all agriculture
In 2005 the National Agenda developed and executed in Saint Lucia was grounded on four main pillars and was implemented through agreed goals, priorities, and strategic actions that were in line with IICA‘s main strategic and support areas.
Strategic areas of focus in 2005
(a) Policy and Trade Negotiation (b) Agribusiness and Rural Enterprises development (c) Sustainable Rural development (d) Food Safety and Agricultural Health
Support areas of focus in 2005
(a)Technology and Innovation (b) Education and Training (c) Horizontal Technical Cooperation (d) Institutional Modernization and Strengthening
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
9
The implementation of the agenda was aimed at producing the following expected results:
• Capacities equipped to manage the requirements for change or adjustments in policy, institutional and legislative frameworks, to facilitate business in the sector; • Increased and diversified agri-based economic activities in agriculture dependent communities; • Adequate agricultural health and food safety system and established standards; and; • Agri-based products and services which are competitive and profitable in the domestic and external market.
4. Results of Technical Cooperation
In 2005 IICA‘s Office in Saint Lucia honored its commitment to its internal and external stakeholders and contributed significantly to the fulfillment of the Institute‘s mandate of developing a competitive, equitable and sustainable agriculture sector by supporting the following actions.
4.1 Facilitating Competitiveness and Global Trade
The repositioning of the banana industry remained the single most important challenge to the sector in Saint Lucia in 2005 and the development of economic diversification initiatives within and outside the banana industry has taken on new significance. It was recognized early that the future of the traditional banana industry hinged on the outcome of the WTO ruling and these uncertainties forced serious and continued dialogue on the future of the industry in Saint Lucia. In this regard, the Office continued to support the dialogue for diversification and increased competitiveness within the industry and presented a position paper on the Expansion of Saint Lucia‘s Regional Trade in Bananas to a national stakeholders‘ meeting convened by the Ministry of Agriculture to examine options for repositioning the industry.
The development of feasibility (investment) profiles for two (2) banana based products which will be made available in 2006, to the agri-business community for decision making, was also initiated through the Regional Project Unit. In addition, support was provided to the development of a Seamoss Project at Praslin, and activities aimed at the elaboration of a Development Plan, in support of a viable passion fruit industry was initiated.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
1 0
The herbal industry, which has been identified by the agriculture stakeholders as one which presents possibilities for increased opportunities for the sector, was assisted in its ongoing development with the convening in June, of the joint CHBA/CARAPA international conference entitled —Advancing Caribbean Herbs in the 21st Century“. This conference was executed in collaboration with the Government of Saint Lucia through the MAFF and the Ministry of Health, the Centre for the Development of Enterprise Planning Committee for the CHBA/CARAPA Conference (CDE), the Technical Centre for Agriculture held in Saint Lucia, June 2005 and Rural Cooperation (CTA), and a number of other national Institutions.
Over 100 delegates from Central and North America, Europe and the wider Caribbean, participated in the conference. The marketing, legislative, technological and research and development issues which are required for advancing the development of the Caribbean Herbal Industry, were identified and discussed. The conference provided opportunities for sharing of experiences towards development of a sustainable herbal sub-sector in Head Table at the CHBA/CARABA Conference individual countries and region wide. (L-R) KLee-Lum; Dr HLowe;Dr HADChesney; Mr MSatney; The annual general meetings of the Dame Pearlette Louisy; Mr FWilliams CHBA and CARAPA were also facilitated.
Following up on this successful conference, the Office in Saint Lucia is assisting the local chapter of CHBA and CARAPA to consolidate their actions towards the development of a sustainable herbal industry in Saint Lucia.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
1 1
Enhancing the enabling environment for the repositioning of agriculture and the enhancement of rural life remained a primary focus of the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in 2005. The Office in Saint Lucia continued its support to the policy development process and in June 2005 launched its Seminar Series œ —Saint Lucia Agriculture Facing the Future“ - to facilitate continued discussion and dialogue on agriculture and related sector issues. The first seminar in the (L-R) Permanent Secretary, Minister-MAFF and IICA Representative at the launch of the Seminar Series in Agriculture series examined the new policy framework document.
The context of the draft policy is framed within • The Summit of the Americas process at the Hemispheric level • The Regional Transformation Programme (RTP) and its operational mandate- The Jagdeo Initiative at the Regional Level • The OECS Agricultural Policy and Strategic Plan at the Sub-regional level and; • The National Export Strategy at the national level
Rufina Paul actively engaged the panel at the launch of the Seminar series in Agriculture
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
1 2
4.2 Promoting Agricultural Health and Food Safety The goal to strengthen national Agricultural Health and Food Safety Systems to support the country‘s efforts to satisfy trade requirements as well as to increase production remained a central focus of IICA‘s action in Saint Lucia and framed the assistance provided to the national authorities in 2005.
The Cabinet Conclusion providing the authority for the establishment of a National Agricultural Health and Food Safety and Standards (NAHFSS) Committee to coordinate operations of agricultural health and food safety in Saint Lucia was received and the NAHFSS Committee was established. The Committee consists of both the public sector (Ministries of Agriculture, Health, and Commerce) and the private sector. Support was also provided and a Codex Alimentarius Committee was established during the year. This Codex Committee, lead by the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards, is made up of representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Commerce and Consumer Association and the private sector.
In support of the quarantine system in order to provide early detection and timely action for black Sigatoka, an emergency action plan which provides information on the survey and detection programme and eradication or containment of the disease was developed, with the assistance of the Banana Pest and Disease Technical Committee (BPTDC). The Manual was distributed to the Ministry of Agriculture, BPTDC and other target groups including the Windward Islands Banana Development Company (WIBDECO).
Activities of the Banana Pest and Disease Technical Committee was supported through information and technical assistance to banana pest and disease management mainly leafspot (Sigatoka) management.
Activities aimed at management of the coconut leaf mite (Raoiella indica) were supported through active participation in meetings/discussions. One major activity was the training by USDA/APHIS for the survey of the pest.
The NAHFS System was able to participate regularly and actively in the meetings of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Committee
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
1 3 and coordinated and provided follow up to these meetings through the consultations at the local CODEX Alimentarius Committee and the NAHFSS Committee.
Technical support was provided for the Good Agricultural Practices Farmer Certification Scheme through discussions on the procedure with the Marketing Unit. A generic document entitled Operational Procedures of a Certification Scheme for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables in Trade was prepared for the Marketing Unit of MAFF. This document has been used to prepare national procedures.
Technical support was provided to the management of pesticides through membership of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PCB) and active participation in activities of the PCB. The Pesticides Control Board also received support for the hosting of the 10th Meeting of the Coordinating Group of Pesticides Control Boards of the Caribbean.
Participants of the 10th Meeting of the CGPCB
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
1 4
4.3 Strengthening Rural Communities
In 2005, the impact of declining agricultural productivity on the livelihood in rural communities in Saint Lucia was further compounded by the incidences of natural disasters mainly hurricanes and floods. This situation was aggravated by the disdain with which agriculture is perceived and the absorption of workers by other industrial and economic sectors.
In an effort to assist the communities to build Rural community on the West Coast of resilience, IICA continued to work with national Saint Lucia partners to develop and implement programmes and projects of relevance.
The irrigation infrastructure purchased by the black Bay farmer‘s cooperative was installed and has been put in use. This development should enhance the productive and economic capacity of the cooperative, strengthen community relations and increase opportunities for the linkage efforts in the agriculture and tourism sectors.
In 2005 the office continued discussions with the Ministry of Social Transformation to effect joint programming to ensure the success of rural development initiatives. An agreed MOU for cooperation between IICA and the Ministry is being drafted for early discussion in 2006.
In 2005 also, particular attention was paid to encourage and engage the youth in agriculture. Their participation in community related activities was enhanced when assistance was given to the Saint Lucia Chapter of the CAFY to erect a greenhouse at the Fond Assau Combined School and a honey production project established at the Laborie Boys School. These projects have received the full Members of the CAFY Saint Lucia preparing green support of the communities and should house at Fond Assau Combined School serve as models for replication to other communities. Both projects are funded through the CFNI small grants facility.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
1 5
Quality of life in another rural community was also enhanced when the youth forum was assisted to effect a clean up campaign in their community. This activity received the support of the National Solid Waste Management Unit and the Environmental Sanitation Agency.
In an effort to create new avenues for the development of the agriculture products while encouraging enterprise development one participant was facilitated to participate in a Vermicomposting Workshop in Dominica.
4.4 Hemispheric Integration
Staff of the MAFF listening in to presentation on the Jagdeo Initiative
Participation in the development of the Jagdeo Initiative among the internal stakeholders of the MAFF was enhanced through presentations in a discussion forum.
The Minister of Agriculture and other stakeholders from Saint Lucia also participated in the 6th Alliance Meetings held within the frame of the 5th Caribbean Week of Agriculture.
(L-R) RPilgrim -CARDI, UMGordon-IICA, IJean- Minister of Agriculture and MSatney-PS Ministry of Agriculture at discussion forum
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
1 6
4.5 Developing Human Capital
CAFY Members engaged in priority setting activities at the regional workshop in February
Recognizing that the engine of development and transformation lies within the human resource base of the country, the engagement and development of youth in agriculture remained a core activity of the operations of the Office in 2005. The Office collaborated with the Executive Secretariat of the CAFY to host a regional workshop on ”Priority Setting Organisational Development and
Introduction to Project Development Members of Caribbean Agricultural Forum and Management“ for members of the for Youth (CAFY) forum. Participants were drawn from the ten countries with established CAFY Chapters.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
1 7
In an attempt to create intellectual entrepreneurs among the youth in Saint Lucia the members of the National Chapter of the CAFY received special attention and the President and other member were supported to participate in training courses at the national and regional levels. The President of the Saint Lucia Chapter participated in leadership development workshops, in Saint Lucia and Grenada and in the Regional Workshop on Leadership Development and Policy Integration for Youth in Agriculture in Students from the Laborie Boys’ School engaged in St Kitts and Nevis. bee-keep ing activit ies
Through the CFNI Small Grants Project, students from the Laborie Boys School were trained in bee keeping and the members of the CAFY-Saint Lucia Chapter received training in greenhouse construction technology.
Following up on the successful implementation of the CRISP sponsored agribusiness training held in collaboration with the MAFF in 2004, an awards ceremony to recognize the graduates of the training programme was held. Each graduate was presented with a Certificate of Participation and a copy of the Training Manual as reference.
Minister of MAFF presents Certificate and Training Manual to participant of Agribusiness training course
4.6 Environmental Management
Throughout 2005 the office continued to give support to the work of the national Biodiversity and Bio-safety Committees and to the development of the National Bio- safety Framework for Saint Lucia. The Biosafety Act is in it final drafting stages and should be available for public scrutiny in early 2006.
In 2004/2005 the economy of Saint Lucia and the agriculture sector suffered extensively from extreme climatic events. In response to concerns raised at the
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
1 8 national level the Office in Saint Lucia initiated discussions with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre œ (the 5C‘s) - to establish a more focused mechanism for agriculture and the rural milieu concerns to be brought into the dialogue on climate change. Discussions were also initiated with the National Focal Point on Climate change in Saint Lucia and this culminated in the co-hosting of a seminar on —Climate Change and Food Production“ in which the Institute‘s views and position on the issues were clearly articulated.
4.7 Institutional Modernization
The Office in Saint Lucia through the support from the Regional Projects Specialist supported the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in undertaking a diagnostic evaluation and subsequent development of a strategic plan of action for the restructuring of Saint Lucia Marketing Board (SLMB). It is the expectation that the plan would provide for action that would lead to institutional efficiency, effectiveness, financial viability and sustainability in the relevant functional areas of operation of this vital institution. The proposal was developed in response to a request from the Cabinet of the Government of Saint Lucia for decision-making information as to the most viable (economically and financially) and sustainable strategic direction of the SLMB.
Within IICA the increasing cost of operation for the Office in Saint Lucia has led the Office to take a critical look at its resource mobilization strategy and the partnerships it is able to create and maintain. The implementation of the recommendations of the internal audit was accorded high priority by the Office and internal control and processes have been strengthened.
5. Inter-Agency Cooperation
The Office dialogued and maintained relations with country missions domiciled in Saint Lucia and both regional and international agencies with interest in agriculture and rural development in Saint Lucia and the ECS.
Discussions towards cooperation and programming were held with representatives of the French Embassy, the newly appointed Mexican Ambassador to Saint Lucia and the IICA Representative, Una May Gordon meets with ECS, the CARDI, CDB, CIRAD, FAO and the Mexican Ambassador to Saint Lucia and the ECS, UNDP. Mr Sergio Saavedra
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
1 9
6. Support Provided in Development of National Plans and Strategies
The Office continued to advance the Institute‘s efforts to fulfill its mandate to the Summit of the Americas process. In this regard, technical financial and logistic support was provided to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the OECS Secretariat to enhance their understanding of the Agro 2003-2015 Plan for Agriculture and Rural Life of the Americas and the Jagdeo Initiative and for their participation in the regional and hemispheric dialogue and discussions.
At the hemispheric level the OECS Secretariat participated in the 7th Meeting of the Ministerial Delegates of Agriculture (GRICA) and along with the Minister of Agriculture participated in the 13th Regular Meeting of the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA).
During 2005 assistance was provided to reconstitute the National Agro Tourism Technical Coordinating Committee and the drafting and acceptance of the terms of reference for the committee was completed.
Further action towards the elaboration of a comprehensive Strategy for linking agriculture and tourism in Saint Lucia was initiated and stakeholder‘s participation in its development encouraged through the convening of a targeted consultation, to determine the major elements of the strategy and a timetable for its development and implementation in Saint Lucia.
Cruise Ship in the Castries Harbour shows prospect for growth in Agriculture andTourism linkage
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
2 0
With assistance from the Regional Agri-business Programme, a draft Industry Development Plan for the Pig Industry in Saint Lucia is being elaborated. This will be completed for further discussion with industry in 2006.
In 2005 also the office in Saint Lucia continued to support the development of the OECS agriculture strategy with the elaboration of project profiles and/or plans to satisfy the four areas of focus placed within the purview of the Institute.
These are: i. Fostering the Best Linkages between Agriculture and Tourism and the elaboration of a Strategy for Linking Agriculture and Tourism in the ECS ii. Strengthening the Capabilities of the Agricultural Health and Food Safety Systems in the Member States to meet the Challenges of trade. And the development of a Project Proposal and action plan for implementation iii. Increasing the Flow of Investment Credit to the Agriculture Sector within the framework of the Jagdeo Initiative iv. Encouraging Improved Cooperation and collaboration of the farming Community and other Agribusiness Concerns in Agricultural development
The AHFS Project Proposal and action plan for implementation was prepared and presented to the 41st meeting of the OECS authority in March and the draft strategy for linking agriculture and tourism in the OECS is being discussed with the OECS secretariat before finalization in early 2006. The development of the investment profiles for selected commodities is being guided by the outcome of the regional investment conference held in Guyana in late 2005.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
2 1
7. Other Activities
7.1 The IICA Awards
In an effort to encourage and give due recognition to individuals who have contributed to development in agriculture and the rural milieu, the Office in Saint Lucia in collaboration with the MAFF, supported the nomination of companies and individuals for both the IICA Hemispheric and the IICA Caribbean Awards.
(L-R) Dr Christopher Cox expressing his appreciation for the award; Hon Ignatius Jean Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Saint Lucia and Una May Gordon IICA Representative looks on
Dr. Christopher Cox a professional in the MAFF won the Caribbean Young professional award. The Sandals Resort International (SRI) of Saint Lucia received an Honorary Mention in the Hemispheric Awards and won the IICA Caribbean Award for Institutional Contributions to Agriculture and Rural Development. Mr Kasmir Ali of Sandals Resort International Saint Lucia, accepting the Awards from Mrs Rosanna Brathwaite, wife of IICA Director General
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
2 2
7.2 Meeting of ECS Staff
In the first meeting of the ECS team new Representative, Una May Gordon, makes a point to the Administrators, Coordinators and Technical Specialists
The office in Saint Lucia being the management unit for the Institutes operations in the ECS hosted the other member of the ECS team in a two day retreat aimed at consolidating the actions of IICA in the ECS and developing priorities, plans and programmes for the 2005/2006 programme period.
Regional specialists in Agricultural Health and Food safety, Education and Training, Project Preparation, ECS Coordinators, Administrators and Secretaries Sustainable Rural development and in discussion and dialogue Trade policy and negotiation all participated in the two days activity.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
2 3
8. Future Opportunities for Cooperation
The Chamber of Agriculture in Saint Lucia was launched in late October and has begun advancing efforts towards the development of an action plan for agriculture in Saint Lucia. The institute‘s assistance has been actively pursued in this regard and it is expected that full cooperation in the implementation of the plan will follow.
Advancing discussions with the UNDP, the GEF/SGP and CIRAD will also present opportunities for ongoing collaboration and development of the agriculture rural milieu.
The signing of the IICA/CHA MOU at the regional level, if properly managed, should afford opportunities for strengthening and collaboration between the agriculture and tourism sectors at the national level. The office in Saint Lucia has positioned itself to capitalize on these advances.
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
2 4
9. APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Organizational Chart - IICA Office in Saint Lucia
ECS REPRESENTATIVE
Regional Regional Specialist Projects Specialist National Other Offices in ECS Preparation Agri-business Agricultural Health (Coordinators/ and Food Safety Technical Specialists) Specialist
Administrator/ Representative Finance Technician Secretary/Assistant Executive Secretary/ Finance Technician Information Officer Programme Secretary Driver/ Messenger/ Machine Operator
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5
2 5
Appendix 2: Five Most Important Events Organized by the IICA Office in Saint Lucia in 2005
Number Place and date of Official name Date held Site of the of publication of the of the event event participants report or proceedings of the event
1. CAFY Workshop February 23-26 Glencastle 24 Report available IICA Resort Saint Lucia 2. Tenth Meeting of the Coordinating April 26-27 Glencastle 39 Proceedings will be Group of Pesticides Resort available for the next Control Boards of meeting in 2006 the Caribbean (CGPC)
3. ECS Coordinators‘ May 24-26 Office in Saint 22 Report available IICA Meeting Lucia Saint Lucia
4. CHBA/CARAPA June 23-26 Bay Gardens 100 Report available IICA Conference Hotel Trinidad (CHBA secretariat)
5. Agro-tourism June 30 Sir Arthur Lewis 25 Working document Stakeholders‘ Community prepared Meeting College
Saint Lucia Annual Report 2 0 0 5