THE EXTENSION PROJECT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE RESILIENCE OF RURAL FARMING COMMUNITIES BY INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY AND REDUCING VULNERABILITY TO NATURAL HAZARDS.

The Departments of Agriculture and Sustainable Development have joined forces to launch the Building Resilience or Adaptation to Climate Change and Climate Variability in Agriculture in Saint Lucia Project, which is funded by the Adaptation Fund and implemented by the Caribbean Development Bank.

Saint Lucia, like many other small island developing states, is highly vulnerable to natural disasters due to its geography, location, climate, and geology. The "Building Resilience or Adaptation to Climate Change and Climate Variability in Agriculture in Saint Lucia Project" aims to improve the resilience of rural farm communities by increasing farm productivity, water, and livelihood security, and reducing vulnerability to natural hazards, climate variability, and climate change. The project's targets include interventions for water security, soil conservation and management, the integration of renewable energy practices to increase efficiency, and knowledge management and transfer to improve adaptive capacities.

Minister for Agriculture Fisheries, Rural Development and Food Security, Hon. Alfred Prospere said in the face of more frequent and severe agricultural losses, such as the recent impact of Hurricane Elsa, and farmers having little to no insurance coverage, developing a resilient agricultural sector is critical.

The Department of Sustainable Development is the designated national authority responsible for maintaining communication between the funding agency, the Adaptation fund, and the implementing agency the Caribbean Development Bank. Minister with responsibility for Sustainable Development, Hon. Shawn Edward expressed gratitude to the agencies for making resources available to support agricultural resilience efforts.

“Indeed, the launch is benign done at a time when Saint Lucia must demonstrate its fortitude as a country as we find ways to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

The cost of the Building Resilience or Adaptation to Climate Change and Climate Variability in Agriculture Project in Saint Lucia is estimated at UDS$9.1532 million.