 Hello again viewers and welcome to the program agriculture on the move. I am Philip Sidney your host. Today I am very excited. Why? Three weeks ago we brought you a banana expo and now we have come to give you what you have been yearning for a mango festival. I am very excited about it because some years ago we were about to organize a mango festival. We wanted to bring you and to allow you to know the various varieties of mangoes we have in St. Louis and we have many. So we wanted to showcase that to you. But we also wanted to showcase the derivatives from mangoes, the many recipes derived from mangoes and yes it is going to happen on the 24th of June. The ministry has collaborated with the Taiwan Technical Mission and we are bringing you a mango festival at the constitution park in castries Friday next week the 24th starts at 10 o'clock and it ends at 6 o'clock. The theme mango mania tut bagai mago and I am sure you will understand that. Just come there on the 24th and you will see what I am talking about. The schools are involved, the primary and secondary schools and you know what they can do. We also have St. Louis Community College involved. We have a number of agro processors who are going to showcase what can be done with mango on that day. There will be a mango recipe book that will be available on sale and of course mango plants, various varieties are going to be on sale on that day. For those of you who want to plant mango trees in your backyard, not many, that will be the show, but you will be able to ask questions and you will get the answers for pest management of your mango trees in your backyard, of course and you the farmer too. With me today is an agro processor who has been in the business for about 50 years. He has done so many derivatives from various fruits in St. Louis, 50 years and more. He has been experimenting and he is still experimenting. He is 92 years old now and he is none other than Mr. William Weeks. Welcome to the program sir. Well, thank you very much for being in the program today in English. In English. Yes, yes. Because we just did one last week on radio in Creole. In Creole, yes. That was exciting. Yes, it was great. Mr. Weeks, you know, I really wanted to bring you on because at your age you were still active but then I just wanted you to, for those persons in St. Louis who do not know of Mr. Weeks, tell us who is Mr. Weeks. Well, Mr. Weeks is just an ordinary young man that was born in St. Louis and his parentage was my grandmother was from Barbados. My grandfather was from St. Vincent and my grandmother took me from my mother at the age of six, six months old, which means I didn't know my mother at all. I only got to know my mother when I got the age of 19, 19 and then she took me and took me up to Guyana, she took me up to Guyana and then I started in business with my mother and my stepfather in business in Guyana. So after a while I came back here in St. Louis and then I started in agro processing. But before, while you were in Guyana, were you involved in any active agro processing? No, no, no. What were you involved in? Well, business, the shop, I was running the shop because my stepfather was a diamond and gold buyer. So then I was in the shop, you know, came in the shop doing everything like the food, we call them the poknakas. Now it's not like the business here, it is by bags and so on. It's not two ponds and one ponds stuff, you know, because when the father's going to the back down, they go with about two bags of sugar, three bags of flour and all these other things. So that is what I was doing. But you were involved in baking too, right? Yeah, because my grandmother, that's what she was doing, baking, she would do a lot of baking. And she always told me, Sonny, whenever you want to go into business, go into food because we must eat, yes, and that registered in my mind. And when I went together, my mother was doing this very same thing too, doing the same thing. So when you came back to St. Lucia, how old were you? When I came back to St. Lucia, I was about 26 years old, 26 years old. And so what you got into? Yes, but then I got married to a nurse in Canaries and that is why I started doing business. Okay. And then I went in with some cash and then I started the business down there. And there was doing chips, banana chips and plantain chips. And we were shipping to Barbados every two weeks, 200 cartons of the plantain and 250 in the plantain and 100 cartons in the banana. Okay. Yes. Shipping that every two weeks. That was a success for you? Oh, yes, it was successful. It was successful. And then we swing and go into icicles. The production of icicles? Production of icicles. And we were doing one of the best icicles in St. Lucia. Wow. Yes, it had vitamin C, we added vitamin C and it could have stayed on your shelf for a whole year, never spoiled. Never spoiled. Never spoiled. And well, then after a while then I passed the information on to Narsis, you know, Narsis doing. Yes. Yes, he's my very good friend. Okay. So I gave it to him. But you had workers with you? Oh, yes, nine. Nine workers in Canaries. Nine. Yeah. And they were trained by you? Yeah, yeah, yeah. They were very good. Okay. Very, very good. Okay. So you did also the banana, the banana ketchup? Ketchup. Ah, yes. That is why I started. The famous red banana ketchup? Yeah. That is where I started that thing. So before Viking trailers and before Barron's U? Oh no, they knew nothing about that. I give Zephren the recipe. Okay. Yeah. Why I did that is because there was a Canadian white man. Every winter time he always comes down. He has a place down by Antelavadi. So he's always there every year. So he was our good friend and then we invited him home, you know, to have lunch with us. And I had that very same banana ketchup on the table. So when we finished, I asked him, what did you eat there? He told me tomato ketchup. I said, you sure? He said, yes, tomato ketchup. So I explained to him, I don't know. That's the banana ketchup. So he was so surprised. So he had me, he told me, please, I'll be going up next week. Could you prepare a sample for me? I'll take it up to Canada. To Canada. To the hands of you. And I did that and that's what he did. And in a week's time, they called me from Heinz. And then they started to ask me questions. Mr. Wicks, what banana did you use? I said, I used banana. He said, no, no. Was it ripe bananas or green bananas? I said, bananas. So he said to me, Mr. Wicks, I would not want to get your formula from you. We want to know whether you'd be able to supply us two 20-foot containers of only the base. Only the base. Wow. And that you could not do. Anyway, we do for our first break. Okay? Yeah. June, don't go away. Welcome back to the program, Agriculture on the Move. And of course we have Mr. William Wicks with me, who is an agro-processing guru in St. Lucia, 50 years in agro-processing. And of course he is going to be at the Mango Festival to surprise us with some recipes in mango. And as we continue to speak with him, you'll get more of his involvement in agro-processing in St. Lucia. So Mr. Wicks, after your left canneries, I know you traveled and then you came back to St. Lucia. I know you've been involved in a number of agro-processing using our various foods and whatever. When you came back to St. Lucia, you also went to the University of the West Indies. Yeah. Tell us about that. At Mac Fallon, she was the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, and I was a member also of the Chamber. So once she told me, Mr. Wicks, I think you should go up to UWI because we can send you up there to improve on what you're doing. I said to her, no, I don't have the time for that sort of thing right now. So she insisted and then, well, I had to give up. So I had my cousin to come and check on my workers for me while I was out. And that he did. And I don't regret at all. I have great respect for her because she wants to encourage me, because I didn't want to go, but she encouraged me. And from there, from what I learned, I start to improve by books and study and study and study and do a lot of research work. I've done quite a lot of research work. Okay, so tell us some of the things that you've done during your agro-processing days. Tell us some of your success stories. Now, I was telling you about the catch-up. Now, this we've kind of sent the same gentleman back down to me. So I arranged, I contacted the prime minister, which was John Compton at the time, and then arranged a meeting and then he did give us a date and we went there. So himself and the white man was talking. So all he was telling the white man is one million dollars. That's all you want to hear. Now, I knew that they had that fractured cul-de-sac that was doing gin or something of the sort. So they had very good stainless steel equipment there so that we could have handled all of that. But he didn't want to wear anything, nothing at all. But telling the gentleman one million dollars, one million dollars. That was for the equipment? For the whole factory. So that went that way. I didn't say a word to the prime minister, not a word. I found that very strange. Anyhow, I got so fed up when I heard that sort of thing, you know. I got so fed up and I decided, you see me, I will not stay in St. Lucia. I'm gone. So I decided to go back to Guyana. Yeah, went back to Guyana. But before doing that, Zeffrin was my good friend. So I gave the recipe to Zeffrin. Okay. Yeah, that's what I did. So that's why he has the manager. I knew, I did not, because he put in his computer and he said, Wixim, you give me everything. I said yes, but no, that's not true. I did not. There's one thing I held back. Okay. Yeah, because if I go into it now, what they're doing, they will collapse. Okay. They will not succeed. So you have a secret weapon? Oh yeah. Oh yeah. I kept that word. Mr. Zeffrin, I know you have done quite a lot. I know you did something in coconut. Tell us what you did in the coconut. Well, what I'm doing in the coconut is the flour, a blend. And then it has, it is vitamin enriched. We throw the acid because you need that, you know. And then I blend it up with other flowers like I can, I use, I use different flowers, you know, those that are gluten free. Gluten free, right? Yeah, gluten free. And then you can use that flower for anything at all. Cake, anything, anything, you know. Okay. I remember once, when I first started doing that, the time, we had that Taiwanese show. Mm-hmm. And I had this flower there and said, there was one guy there, he bought it. And the following day when he came back, I hadn't, I hadn't no time to tell anybody. He was the one selling the flower by telling them exactly. He said he did a dumpling and he had never eaten a dumpling so good. From the coconut flower. From the flower, yeah. Okay. And then the people started by, well, I didn't have enough flour there. Okay. No, I didn't have enough flour. Okay. And then that went on and went on. I have some very good customers now. Yeah. But you see, it's high alone. Right. And then you see, when you're doing these things, you need mass production to make money. Mm-hmm. But I know you trained quite a few people in St. Lucia. Oh, yes. I know the St. Lucia network of rural women in Babono. You did some training with them. Yes, yes. I did some training with them. But I don't want to give you the history of that. I know. I understand. I understand. And they have been, they were successful. Yeah. And they are still successful up to today. Yes. Yes. But you participated in the Banana Festival, the Banana Expo we had. Tell us, tell us of what you did at the Banana Expo. The Banana, I did three, three products out of it. Because I didn't want to do, because I said no, no. Glad the people bring in their own tool at the sea. Okay. You're the sun. So I didn't want to bring in all. But then what I brought in there, it was the banana, the banana butter. The banana butter. That was exciting. The banana, the banana butter. And then we, we call that one, the, well, it's like, it's like a candy. Remember the candy? Yeah, the banana candy. Yeah. And then I, that was the bomb. That was really, really good. Yeah. Yeah. And then I, I brought the, the, the chow mein. Yes. Banana chow mein, right. Banana chow mein. Yes. Yeah. Those, I mean that, that went very well. Yeah. And then the banana flour. Yeah. We are different. Right. Banana flour also. And you, you see, and Mark was there to help me. Yeah. He was there to help me. Okay. But I know, because the, when I first did that banana, that banana butter in Canaries, I gave the workers the taste. Everyone of them told me it's, it's a peanut butter. Wow. So I said, no. So the buffer, I said, there's no peanut in it. The very same response I got there. Yes. I remember the, the, the prime minister when he tasted it on the, on the honorable Philip J.P. Yes. He tasted it. You know, he was surprised. Yeah. He thought it was a peanut butter. Peanut butter, yeah. A lot of people just couldn't understand. But, but are you going to mass produce that? Yes. If I can get the equipment, you see, because remember, I alone. Yes. But, and then you see with me, I, as a matter of fact, the last person I spoke to the, and was at home was Pilgrim. So I was telling him that, you know, I do not like to run the business. You know, my, my intention is to do work of your products that you have a going, you're not bombed, when it's in season is wasting. Right. All like the breadfruit. When the breadfruit is when, and it ripe, I can use it. When it fall down there and making a mess, I can use that. You see, because I've done that already, and it makes a wonderful ice cream. You will not believe that it's from... Breadfruit ice cream. That's right. You'll never believe it is breadfruit ice cream. Wow, wow, wow. You understand? Anyway, hold, hold that thought you do for another break. You're watching Agriculture on the Move. Stay tuned. We'll be back soon for more information. Thank you. Welcome back to the Program, Agriculture on the Move. So, may I remember many, many moons ago when I began this program, we had a tagline in the ministry, and I keep repeating it every day. Eat fresh, St. Lucia's best. And I think it has come to the fore now. Our food security really has come to the fore, and I would add nutrition to it. Our food and nutrition security is key now. Our prices in the supermarket are soaring. They are rising. Every minute of the day, the prices keep changing. What are we doing? We need to consume more of what we produce here. That's right. Eat fresh, St. Lucia's best. The ministry had a seven crop program, and now it has grown into our fruit and vegetable crop program. They have extended it for the next five years. The Taiwanese have given us funding because of the success of the seven crop program. What is it saying? Produce more of what we can eat in St. Lucia. We can consume it. Why wait for import? I'll tell you something. Now we're talking about prices are rising. There will be the time. It will not be prices. It will be availability of foods that we will not be able to get. And that's the problem. So that is why we need to ensure that we produce enough of the crops that we can grow locally for local consumption. And for us to eat healthy, that is what we need to do now. The ministry is in the front line ensuring that our food security is secured. That is the mantra of the Honorable Alfred Prospe, the minister responsible for agriculture. That is his mantra. And the ministry is going to rally to ensure that this program is a success. The Mango Festival, which we are going and backing on, is again is a journey into the whole food security program. We need to consume what we grow. We have a bumper crop of mangoes this year. And of course, Mr. Lee, I'm sure you have seen the amount of mangoes we have this year. The Mango Festival, what are you doing with us? I know you are on board. You are going to be producing. You have a booth. What is it that you're going to be producing this year? Is it a secret? There's one. It's a secret. I don't want to put that one out. But then I think, because I was thinking, I think I'm going to bring a mango biscuit. Wow. A mango biscuit. Yeah. And also a candy from the same mango. Three items again. The other one. You hold the other one. But moving forward, Mr. Wix, I mean, at your age, are you training any young persons, so that they can continue your legacy? Yes. I definitely would be anxious. That is why I said I'm so happy to meet you so that we can work together. As a matter of our calm, the Minister of Commerce promised me to train 12 young people. Great. They are not suffering. Right. Right. But I haven't heard anything from her. She'll come to you. Do you think so? Yeah. Trust me. She'll never forget you. Because I'm saying to myself, because I started preparing programs for them and so on. But since I didn't hear anything, it's sort of getting me a bit... No, trust me. She'll get to you. I'm sure she'll be watching the program. So she will get to you. But if anything, I will give her a call. Yes. Because I think this is very important because there are people out there who need to be trained young people. Yeah. And I think you need to pass on the legacy to them. Oh yes. I am interested. I'm interested. Because as I said the last time, I do not want people who... You must be positive. Correct. You understand? Don't waste my time. You know, positive. Show me the interest that you're interested in this. Because I have already prepared a program for them. You understand? Because I want, when I finish with them, they can go on their own and do business. Right. As a matter of fact, I have a plan that I think that four of them can get together. Four of them. And I will teach them that. One to run the business. Right? And the other one on the floor. You see? Checking all kinds of things. And then the other one on the quality. Because your product must be consistent. Yeah. Quality control. That's right. So they're watching that. And then maintain the whole thing of the business. You understand? And then I will be there monitoring them. I will not give up. I will not give up at all. If I see any little slackness in there, I'll put them straight. You understand? So I am anxious for that. Very anxious. When I see that it has been accomplished, you don't know how happy I would be in my life. Oh, I will die with my eyes open. I'm saying. Thank God. Yes, that's true. I mean that. I mean it. In other words, you would have contributed to your country. Oh, yes. Oh, definitely. Definitely. Definitely. I don't know why logo is up. Our people must change the way of thinking. Because you should be eating what you grow. Because it's healthier. These things are important. You don't know how long they have it on the shelf. And the amount of preservatives that they use in these things. It's no good. It's no good. But you have in it local fresh. It's better for you, better for your health. People must understand that. You understand. And then the import bill is gone. We don't need that sort of thing. St. Lucia is good enough when you have the terrain and everything that you can produce exactly what you want. Go to the supermarket. You get in fresh stuff. You understand. So what you want the processing of what is to use the excess so that you can always have it. Season or out of season you have it there. You understand. So then you need to prepare it in such a way that it can last for, let us say, a little bit. You put it in your fridge. And that's it. It's better than this kind of thing with all the benzoic acid and all these sort of things like that. It's not good for the health. Not good at all. Any processed things from outside, you know. That's why people suffer a lot of diabetes and all these kind of things. Too much sugar, too much salt and too much of these kind of things. But if you have it here, done here, you won't have to use all these chemicals. No. Not at all. And I would be happy to see. And then you see another thing again is that the people don't understand. Drugs cost a lot of money. A lot of money. Then government now have to get money to bring in all these drugs to do what? It's not a cure. There's no cure in drugs. Absolutely not. It's a quick fix. It's preventative. That's right. You understand? And then if they can change their mind. You see, I know already for long years they say anything local is inferior to the outside. They must change that mindset. They must change that. So that St. Lucia will move forward. I can tell you that. And all these kind of sicknesses will wipe out. By the grace of God, I'm certain of that. It will wipe out. I agree with you. And I am definitely after that. Yeah, I'm definitely after that. I want to thank you, Mr. Wicks, for being here. I'm very thankful for the conversation we have had today. Yes. And we will continue the conversation. Yes. Once you are alive. By the grace of God. By the grace of God. I want to leave this little quote. People must understand. Nature will never deceive us. We are the ones ourselves that deceives ourselves. Well said. Well said. Thank you. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, of course, Mr. William Livingstone Wicks. 92 years old and still batting. And of course, he's still involved in his research work in agro-processing. Getting to new ideas every day. But he's willing to help others. But don't forget, our mango festival on the 24th of June at the Conditioned Park in Cassie starts at 10 o'clock and ends at 6 o'clock. Lots of goodies derived from mango on that day. Please be there. I'm Philip Sidney saying, Eat Fresh and Luchas Best. That's right. And goodbye. Bye-bye.