The women-led non-profit organisation Helen’s Daughters brought together farmers, stakeholders, and community members for its “Unconference on Agriculture – A Farm to Round Table Event,” held on August 23–24 at Project Chocolat.
The two-day event sought to inspire collaboration, connection, and community-building to reimagine the role of agriculture in Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean.
Caroo-Afrifa said the event took a creative approach to discussions, replacing traditional “fireside chats” with Caribbean-inspired “balcony chats” on topics ranging from “food as medicine” to men’s role in advancing gender equality. Sessions also explored the future of Caribbean agriculture, covering emerging industries such as honey, cannabis, and cocoa.
She emphasised that agriculture remains deeply rooted in Saint Lucian culture, with the potential to transform lives if supported strategically.
“Agriculture is food and farming, but it’s also freedom. Banana farmers realised that when the market opened up, it allowed persons from poverty to become middle class. Farming still presents those opportunities, but we just need to be more strategic about the sectors that we choose, what we invest in, and how we are supported as an island and as a region,” she explained.
The Executive Director also linked the decline of collectivism to wider social challenges, pointing out that rebuilding a sense of community in agriculture could have broader societal benefits.
“We are dying out this whole concept of collectivism, of working together. And that’s not just an isolated issue. In Saint Lucia, when we see the incidents of violence, we realise it’s as a result of not having community, not having those villages to raise our children. Supporting and building community in one area can hopefully have trickle-down effects throughout society,” she added.
Delivering remarks at the event, CARICOM Climate Envoy Dr Jimmy Fletcher commended Helen’s Daughters for their innovative work in agricultural development but highlighted the need for continued government support.
“The government has done some things, but there’s still so much more to be done. The provision of microfinance to farmers, the provision of more specialised technical support, assistance with marketing, which Helen’s Daughters has been able to do, remain critical,” Fletcher said.
He also paid tribute to Dunstan Demille, whom he described as a guiding force behind Helen’s Daughters’ efforts to strengthen the marketing of agricultural produce.
The “Unconference on Agriculture” forms part of Helen’s Daughters’ mission to empower women in rural communities and promote sustainable agricultural practices across the region.