Dear Sir
The connotation that Saint Lucians should eat more Bananas ( ripe and green) can be better contextualized from the concept of consumption relative to food processing, processing of snacks, baby formula, increased Banana export, milling in terms of flour production, mulching relative to soil promulgated (the stem of the banana tree) and (husbandry), cattle grazing, etc.
Saint Lucia is known for, including its majestic Piton Mountains, drive-in volcano, refreshing waterfalls, spectacular hiking trails, beautiful beaches, local street parties and exclusive restaurants.
Saint Lucia is also known for its national dish consisting of green bananas and salt fish locally known as green figs and saltfish: salted cod that has been cured with dry salt, soaked overnight, and preserved.
The Banana industry has had a major slump due to severe weather (hurricane, drought, infestation) a protracted banana dispute in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the liberalization of the market giving further access to bananas from Latin American producers thus increasing competition in the UK market.
Saint Lucia has gradually declined from the heydays of green-gold and stakeholders are struggling to keep the industry viable. It has been difficult to compete in the UK market with their fair trade brand and to control disease affecting the crop.
Reporting on a visit to the United Kingdom by the minister for agriculture, Alfred Prospere; and the minister for commerce, Emma Hippolyte, the ministry of agriculture, addressed the collaboration on export diversification and the vulnerability of Saint Lucia’s agriculture sector.
With the current setbacks in the banana export market, minister for agriculture, Prospere, emphasized the importance of diversifying exports and expanding manufacturing exports where comparative advantage exists, said: “There is still hope, but producers must understand that for business to continue with supermarkets in the UK, quality standards must be met. I want to call on our farmers to ensure that this remains their highest priority”.
On February 22, Saint Lucia will be celebrating its 43rd Anniversary of Independence under the theme “Douvan Ansanm-Celebrating Our people”.
This is an excellent opportunity for Saint Lucians to look beyond the horizon, eat, grow, export and seek new endeavours to make use of Bananas seen all around the island.
Recently, the creativity producing Mims on social media displays a level of creativity for advancement in the ‘youth economy’, agriculture diversification and commerce (export trade).
Sincerely,
Arianna Philips
