TAIWAN FUNDS NEW TISSUE CULTURE FACILITY

                                                                    Her Excellency Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy cuts ribbon to new facility

 It is the expectation of the Minister for Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries & Forestry, Ezechiel Joseph, that the official launch of the Tissue Culture Laboratory at Union Agricultural Station, a joint effort between the Government of Taiwan and Saint Lucia, is geared towards the development of the Agriculture sector and the re-establishment of various infrastructures that were already in place prior to 1997. According to Minister Joseph:”We need to introduce new technologies for  meaningful and sustainable agricultural production” in Saint Lucia.

In this regard, government will be making a concerted effort to help in managing the risk and uncertainties of farmers, as they face various challenges, such as climate change, high prices and mounting production costs. He also called for the “Agricultural Sector to become one of the priority areas of national development.”

While urging the need for a “new Development Model” Minister Joseph highlighted “technology and innovation” as critical elements in our search for solutions.

He also noted the many advantages of the Tissue Culture Technology as a propagation technique and approach which deviates from the generative or conventional method of “cutting, layering, budding and grafting.” 

Minister Joseph said, the Tissue Culture Laboratory is expected to become “a Centre for cut flower and ported orchard plants for the regional market” and beyond.

He welcome the rapid transformation of the Union Agricultural Station with the valuable financial and technical support of the Taiwanese to include not only the Tissue Culture Laboratory, but an Orchid Farm, Aquaculture Project, Demonstration Plots, Hatchery, Greenhouses; and an EU-funded vibrant Eco-Tourism Park.

Minister Joseph said that further government support is needed in the following areas:

1.       Assistance with the reliable supply of agricultural inputs

2.      A functional and proper marketing infrastructure and

3.      Training of agricultural producers.

For his part, Taiwanese Ambassador, Tom Chou, as a small developing island state, St. Lucia stands to benefit greatly from the Tissue Culture facility as it moves confidently ahead with its programme of agricultural diversification with the joint effort between Taiwan and Saint Lucia. He stressed, that the Lab would facilitate mass production of banana plants, Orchid. He said Taiwan is a major exporter of orchid globally, generating in excess of US$80 million annually. He noted however, that orchid blossoms in cooler tropical climate. Ambassador Chou said, that Union will be the “Capital of Modern Agriculture in Saint Lucia”

The Taiwanese Ambassador also thanked The Government of Saint Lucia for its donation of US$100,000 towards Taiwan’s recent calamity.

But was equally happy to ensure the Government and people of Saint Lucia of Taiwan’s continued commitment to honour their financial obligations to St. Lucia accordingly.

Prime Minister, Stephenson King said, the battle continues at Union to create a niche market in agriculture given the fact that the government is fully committed to the social and economic development of Saint Lucians. He said, the re-establishment of Diplomatic Relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan has been considerably beneficial to Saint Lucia as exemplified by the numerous projects funded by Taiwan amounting to several millions of dollars.

He pointed out, that the transfer of technology from Taiwan to St. Lucia will revolutionize the agriculture sector in the coming years; while providing opportunities for young people in particular.

The new Tissue Culture Laboratory was officially declared open by Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy followed by guided tours of the facility.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Tissue Culture Facility