The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, Hon. Alfred Prospere, joined the Parliamentary Representative for Soufriere, Hon. Emma Hippolyte, and Taiwanese Ambassador to Saint Lucia, H.E. Peter Chen on a tour of agricultural facilities in Soufriere.

Minister Hippolyte said the tour enabled government representatives to gain a better understanding of current developments within the agriculture sector. The Belle View Farmers’ Cooperative, Jacquot Valley Products, and Rainforest Foods were among the organizations visited.

Taiwan's Ambassador Chen remarked on Saint Lucia's distinct and competitive private sector, noting that there are a variety of areas in which the Taiwanese and Saint Lucian governments can collaborate to aid the recovery of the local economy.

Recognizing the many issues confronting the Soufriere community, Minister Prospere reaffirmed his commitment to improving the agriculture industry in Saint Lucia. He stated that Soufriere is a driving force in Saint Lucia's efforts to achieve self-sufficiency, and indicated that he will focus on addressing issues raised during the tour so that agriculturists receive assistance and are encouraged to continue to produce.