Update - Banana Recovery Plan

By Janelle Charles

August 20, 1998 - The recently concluded Banana Recovery Plan is being view as a catalysis for adding renewed vigor and economic viability to the ailing banana industry.

That view is being expressed by Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony.

"This recovery plan will finally restore that final missing ingredient ... confidence. So much of economic viability depends on it," says Anthony. The Prime Minister believes that with the availability of vital inputs, like resources for irrigation, St. Lucia is on its way to designing a banana industry that is modern, competitive and that can guarantee a good return for quality fruit.

The Prime Minister’s comment came when St. Lucia affixed signatures to the Memorandum of Understanding and Production Recovery Plan which is a measure to arrest and reverse the downward spiral of production in the Windward Islands banana industry.

Prime Minister Anthony also reiterated that St. Lucia has a big part to play in ensuring the survival of the banana industry. "St. Lucia is in a unique position that if the industry does not survive in St. Lucia, the viability of the industry in the entire Windward Islands is affected," Anthony said. He said that he believes that St. Lucia is ready for that challenge and this was evident from the rise in quality of production. He also made an appeal to all farmers to make the conversion to the Certified Farmers Program, so that they can enjoy its rewarding possibilities.

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