14 million dollar meat processing facility courtesy Taiwanese government nears completion
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14 million dollar meat processing facility courtesy Taiwanese government nears completion |
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Contact: Kerwin Xavier
Thursday 5 May 2011 – Saint Lucia's state-of-the-art meat processing facility is closer to completion. This was revealed by Taiwanese Ambassador, His Excellency Tom Chou as he toured the facility Wednesday along with the Minister for Agriculture and other government officials. The project is a joint initiative between the Governments of Taiwan and Saint Lucia aimed at diversifying the country's agricultural sector.
“I am very pleased that the groundwork for this facility is going to be completed in a very short period of time. After the building is completed, Saint Lucia's agricultural sector will move to the next level. With this kind of facility, value will be added when animals are slaughtered and sold, resulting in more financial returns to farmers.
Saint Lucia's Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Ezechiel Joseph says the facility will assist the island to become more self sufficient in some aspects of livestock production while improving food safety.
“One of our major challenges is the question of a reliable market. This facility will provide our pig, small ruminants and of course cattle farmers with a reliable market. The question of the link between agriculture and tourism is also important because the end products coming out of this facility would be fed into our hotel and tourism industry, and our supermarkets. “The question of quality and wholesomeness of our local products will be realized.”
Upon completion the facility is expected to cost nearly 14 million dollars. (12 million grant funding contributed by the Taiwanese government. ( 8 million dollars towards the construction of the building and 4 million dollars for equipment). Saint Lucia's contribution is valued at approximately 1.8 million dollars. |
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