 St. Lucian farmers are being trained to optimize solvability and improve crop yields through a collaborative program between the Ministry of Agriculture and the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, with an overall aim of increasing awareness of the potential environmental impacts of fertilizer use and providing knowledge on how to mitigate these impacts. The five-day training being delivered by a team of USAID experts with assistance from the Agriculture Ministry's Extension Division, emphasizes the importance of soil fertility and nutrient management and promotes the appropriate use of fertilizers and biofertilizers, whilst also providing guidance on proper application rates, timing, and placement. Director of Agricultural Services Dr. Oria King-Snack stressed on the crucial role of healthy soil in promoting sustainable agriculture in St. Lucia. Soil quality is directly linked to food quality and quantity. And me with the background of one health, I always like to push this agenda forward to show the interrelationship between our environment, our agricultural health, our human health, and our plant and animal health. For the past three years, the agricultural sector has been placed on a great deal of strain from natural disasters, unfavorable climate conditions, the famous COVID-19, and most recently increased cost of production. As a result of increased cost of inputs, this training could not come at a better time, as our officers, our producers, and other stakeholders in the sector need to find alternatives to mitigate against the high cost and inconsistencies in the availability of our inputs. Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, David Schneer says similar partnerships will be pursued in order to achieve long-term food security. He believes that by fostering such collaborations, it creates a possibility for a more sustainable and resilient agriculture sector. It costs more money in this region to secure a healthy meal than any other part of the world, and it's this situation that we're trying to address today. We must find, we must fix the deep vulnerabilities in our food systems. We need to make more inclusive, sustainable choices to ensure that we can deliver and promote the well-being of our citizens here in all countries in the region. So we're pleased to note, I'm pleased to note we have a strong and growing partnership with the government and the people of St. Lucia, and this is to say, this is just the start. USAID, the U.S. government, is committed to improving food security in the region. We're currently working to develop new programs that will be part of this medium, long-term strategy that will help to mitigate increased poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition. The collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and USAID to promote sustainable agriculture and soil health in St. Lucia is a strategic initiative towards achieving long-term food security, environmental sustainability, and economic growth in the region. From the communications unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, I am Anisia Antoine reporting.