UNIPA News(Haiti) 18 March- Farmers in Saint Lucia are making significant progress toward strengthening agricultural resilience and food security, thanks to support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
Through the Building Resilience for Adaptation to Climate Change and Climate Variability in Agriculture in Saint Lucia (BRACCCVAS) project, local farmers in Choiseul have recently benefited from hands-on training in the use of modern tillage machinery. This initiative is helping to improve key agricultural practices such as soil preparation, water retention, and nutrient management—critical components in adapting to climate change.
The program represents a broader effort to modernize agriculture across the Caribbean, where climate variability continues to pose serious challenges to food production and rural livelihoods.
In a recent development, Dr. Nesha Beharry-Borg, Project Coordinator within the Environmental Sustainability Unit at CDB, and Malcolm Wallace, Operations Officer in the Social Sector Division, met with senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security & Sustainable Development. Discussions focused on reviewing the progress of the BRACCCVAS project and identifying opportunities to expand farmers’ access to climate-smart technologies.
High-level talks with Permanent Secretary Bradley St. Ange and Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr. Randel Esnard emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships that directly benefit farmers and local communities.
This collaboration highlights a key regional priority: empowering farmers to build resilience not only strengthens national food systems but also contributes to broader Caribbean stability. As climate challenges intensify, initiatives like BRACCCVAS demonstrate how strategic partnerships can support sustainable development and economic security across the region.
For many in Saint Lucia, these efforts represent more than agricultural advancement—they are a pathway toward long-term resilience and food independence.
Sionel Youte
UNIPA News Haiti