Joseph slams Gov't priorities, stresses support for farmers

Guy Joseph, the Deputy Leader of the United Workers’ Party, has voiced concerns over what he has described as ‘the inadequacies’ in the government's agriculture policy, particularly regarding the current shortage of shipment boxes for banana farmers in Saint Lucia.

The issue came to light when local farmers faced difficulties in exporting their produce due to the unavailability of boxes.

Joseph emphasized the urgency for the Ministry of Agriculture to devise more robust plans to support farmers, who are experiencing significant revenue losses as a result of this shortage.

Joseph questioned the role of the ministry in the agricultural process, emphasizing the need for meticulous planning and proactive measures.

He highlighted the absence of extension and field officers and criticized the apparent lack of data regarding banana production and export activities in Saint Lucia.

He further underscored the repercussions of this scarcity, with some exporters losing their market shares to competitors.

“There is competition out there,” Joseph declared, emphasizing the need for prompt action to address the pressing concerns of local farmers.

Moreover, Joseph criticized the government's misplaced priorities, stating that they are not aligned with the needs of Saint Lucians, particularly those involved in agriculture.

In response to these concerns, Minister for Agriculture, Hon Alfred Prospere earlier this week plans to address the shortage by importing shipment boxes from the Dominican Republic and Miami.

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Banana farmers await relief as agriculture minister promises solution

Approximately 30,000 boxes are expected to arrive on the island by next week, aiming to alleviate the challenges faced by banana farmers.

However, despite efforts to resolve the shortage, banana farmers continue to express frustration over the impact on their livelihoods.

Delays in box production due to machine issues have exacerbated the situation, prompting the need for replacements from China. Additionally, the scarcity of materials required for box production has further complicated the matter, necessitating imports from Miami and the Dominican Republic.