#St.Lucia, March 2018 – A 200% increase in banana production in St Lucia is good but not the goal of the Ministry of Agriculture and its farmers as the industry continues to try to rebound. While St Lucia was spared a direct brush with hurricanes Irma and Maria of September 2017, some farms suffered significant blows.
Agriculture Minister Ezechiel Joseph told media that the Roseau Valley saw about 35% of the industry totally wiped out because of the passage of the hurricane. It has the government now taking more proactive measures to undergird farmers and this booming industry for St Lucia. There discussions to provide farmers with insurance for financial protection against certain impacts of climate change.
“However, farmers know that we’ve travelled a long distance from the days of Green Gold.”
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
St Vincent and the Grenadines and New York City will be directly connected thanks to the addition of new airlift to the Caribbean island via Caribbean Airlines. The announcement came this week and was described as a delight for Caribbean Airlines to launch this non-stop service between St. Vincent and the Grenadines’, Argyle International Airport and New York’s, John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The flight will be once weekly, every Wednesday beginning March 14 which is National Heroes Day in the country. Glen Beache, the Chief Executive Officer, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority said the flight will also boost commerce with the potential for easier exportation to the United States.”
