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Contact:
John Emmanuel
Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - Stakeholders involved in the banana industry
have started a two-day conference for the Strategic Review of the Saint Lucia
Banana Industry. This latest effort is a follow up to a high level regional
meeting held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines at which time industry officials
reaffirmed the region’s position to adopt a no-exit strategy from the banana
industry. The event, organized by the Banana Industry Trust (BIT) in
collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, seeks to
reposition the industry to meet emerging global challenges.
Executive Officer of the BIT Bertram Clarke says this review is necessary in
light of several factors, like the rising cost of inputs, implementation of the
EUREPGAP compliance rules, a decline in farmer earnings, the constant battle
with leaf-spot disease, reduced UK market share and sky high fuel price
increases. “I do not expect that the solution to all these issues will be
addressed during the conference. However I expect that positive thinking will be
at the forefront of the minds of all stakeholders present during the two days
and that the issues will be approached in such a way that we will find common
ground as to how we can move forward collectively with the industry,” says
Clarke.
The banana industry remains a significant economic sector contributing over 53
million dollars annually to the local economy. Industry officials say now is not
the time to give up in despair. Agriculture Minister Honourable Ignatius Jean
says government continues to support the industry, to the tune of well over 45
million dollars and has called on the public to rally behind banana farmers.
According to Minister Jean, “Ultimately through the existing support systems,
farmers and farmers groups will increasingly be empowered to effectively operate
and manage the built infrastructure in a businesslike environment applying
appropriate cost recovery mechanism.”
Mr. Jean gave the assurance that , “The Ministry of Agriculture will monitor
closely the operational aspects of these investments to ensure value for money.”
Minister Jean says through the efforts of the Banana Industry Trust and other
interventions agencies like the Banana Emergency Recovery Unit (BERU),
significant strides have been made in stabilizing the industry.
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