“A memorandum of understanding for technical cooperation and technical capacity between the two countries as regard Agriculture.” The Agriculture Minister said. Prospere notes that both Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines specialise in the production of different foodstuffs. “As you know, some countries have weaknesses, some countries have strengths. Saint Lucia is known to be very good in the production of seamoss. Saint Vincent has tremendous potential in its production of root crops.”

The Minister notes the signing of the M.O.U is opportune as countries within the region are working to reduce the food import bill. “I think this M.O.U is timely because it is important that we small islands come together to address this food security issue head-on”. 

Prime Minister Honourable Philip J Pierre also announced, in his two year anniversary address, that the Government of Saint Lucia is working to meet its food import goals. “We [...] are diligently working towards CARICOM’s goal of a 25% reduction on our food import bill by 2025 through our seven-crop programme.” 

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the “seven-crop programme” is designed to reduce Saint Lucia’s import of seven crops by producing more of them locally. These seven crops are: soursop, sugar apple, pumpkin, squash, corn, eggplant, dragon fruit, cabbage, zucchini, and carrot.