Water Resource Campaign to Continue in 99'

Contact: John Emmanuel

January 11, 1999 - The Ministry of Agriculture is moving full speed ahead in its efforts at sensitizing the nation and in particular the farming community, on the need to preserve water catchment areas throughout the island.  The six-month sensitization campaign, that began back in 1998, will culminate in March of this year with a special week of activities.

A high point of the week is expected to be a two-day consultation on the status of water resources in St. Lucia, which according to Assistant Chief Forestry Officer Cornelius Isaac, needs to be assessed urgently. Isaac says "The problem is critical in that we are seeing signs that during the dry season there are significant shortages in water supply for major agricultural sectors. We must keep in mind that banana cultivation requires great quantities of water for irrigation of the fields. The problem has been further compounded with the growth in aqua-culture production which requires huge quantities of fresh water."

According to Mr. Isaac persons should not be fooled into thinking that all is well given the persistent rains at the end of 1998 and beginning of 1999. The dry season he says could paint a different picture altogether.

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